TALK BACK: Author Leah Libresco Sargeant calls for
dialogue — and touts asking for help, P. 4
A lifelong journey working with clay
Local potter
John Wissinger turns earth into earthenware and more
By NIGEL F. MAYNARD
John Wissinger was unsure about his career path when he enrolled at Grand Canyon College (now Grand Canyon University) as a freshman, but he knew it would be something creative. He took a variety of art classes, including painting and jewelry making, but the one that stuck was pottery. It was the beginning of a life-long journey working with clay. By day, Wissinger works for a company that moves precious artwork for world-class museums and galleries — including the National Gallery of Art in D.C. — but Wissinger is also a prolific ceramicist/potter who creates objects of art, as well as everyday items, such as mixing bowls, platters, mugs and bakeware.
Neighbor Ethan Watermeier is a loyal customer and a fan of Wissinger’s work.
Watermeier saw some of Wissinger’s work at a local crafts fair and purchased a few pieces. “Since then, I’ve purchased several more pieces of his, both previously made and commissioned for us, including mugs, vases, pitchers, large decorative bowls, and a beautiful full set of custom dishes (large and small plates, and large and small bowls). He also made a custom-designed set of large coffee mugs with a hand-stamped chai symbol (Hebrew for ‘life’) as gifts for some theatre colleagues.”
“I think I was originally, and continue to be, drawn to the overall modern, rustic, Zen aesthetic of John’s pottery,” Watermeier said. “Many of his pieces have
Open Rewards app aims to boost area businesses
By NIGEL F. MAYNARD
The City of Hyattsville has introduced a new Open Rewards app designed to encourage more shopping at local businesses.
Part of the goal of the program, according to city staff, is to keep Hyattsville’s dollars in Hyattsville, with users having to make purchases at businesses to earn and redeem their rewards: “We hope this will encourage shopping locally during the holiday season and beyond.”
Jeff Ulysse, director of the city’s Community Business and Eco-
nomic Development, explained that Hyattsville has a number of ongoing initiatives to help local businesses, such as the corridor investment program and the facade improvement program (which provides matching grants to help small businesses and property owners improve the exterior appearances of their storefronts). But the city wanted something that could “move the needle” for small businesses, as well as provide incentives for shoppers. Open Rewards does that, city officials said.
In John Wissinger's small but
vases and other everyday items.
“This is an opportunity to increase foot traffic to these businesses during the holiday season and [provide] an extra boost in terms of commerce to support their efforts.”
Jeff Ulysse director of Hyattsville's Community Business and Economic Development
County report welcomes data centers, with caveats
By ZAKA HOSSAIN
Following an October community meeting that saw many attendees push back on proposed data center development, Prince George’s County has released a new report concluding that data centers will be welcomed in the county, but only under certain circumstances and with more community input.
The 400-plus-page report proposes 14 recommendations, including one that calls on data centers to be steered toward industrial zones and away from populated areas.
Those special exceptions will add layers to the approval process, resulting in more hearings and more chances for community input that could slow down or even stop projects from moving forward if there’s enough opposition.
At the Oct. 25 community meeting, county residents filled the Sports and Learning Complex, in Landover, with many expressing fierce opposition to plans that could transform the county's landscape.
The overflow crowd came amid mounting controversy
efficient backyard studio, he turns out platters, mixing bowls, mugs,
NIGEL F. MAYNARD
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NEWS BRIEFS
DeMatha wins back-to-back WCAC championships
On Nov. 23, the No. 1 DeMatha Stags defeated the No. 5 Gonzaga Eagles, 20-13, to win their second consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference football championship. Last season, DeMatha beat Good Counsel, 16-7, to earn their first WCAC crown since 2016.
The victory represented the Stags' 26th league championship and capped a perfect, 11-0, season — and represented their 21st straight victory, dating back to September 2024, according to The Washington Post. The Stags started the season ranked No. 1 by The Post, and remained on top throughout the season.
During the championship game, Junior DeMatha quarterback Tristan Sabb completed 14 of 18 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for the game-winning one-yard touchdown with 1 minute 1 second remaining — an effort that earned him the Military Bowl Touchdown Club High School Football Player of the Week.
Bill McGregor, who became the Stags head coach in 1982, according to the team’s website, has now guided the team to 19 championships.
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HPD officer charged with sexual abuse of minor
Hyattsville Police Corporal Jonathan Monge was arrested Nov. 20 on charges of sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape and sex offense in the third and fourth degree, according to Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) and Prince
George’s County State’s Attorney press releases.
According to the HPD, Monge is on administrative leave without pay as the department conducts a separate internal administrative investigation.
Monge has been with the HPD since the summer of 2020, and previously served
for almost five years with the New Carrollton Police Department, according to an HPD Facebook post. He was also a member of Hyattsville’s Crisis Intervention Team in 2021.
Both the HPD and the county state’s attorney’s office said they would release no more information.
Elijah Lee, Lavar Keys, Jordan Stevens and Kai Jones surround the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship trophy, which the DeMatha Stags won on Nov. 23. COURTESY OF CHRIS MCMANES/DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
ICE seeks office space in Hyattsville area
By HEATHER WRIGHT
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is looking for office space to house deportation attorneys in or near Hyattsville.
In October, the federal government put out a request for fully furnished office space that would accommodate 35 work stations and include a conference room and a dedicated server room. The space must be in Prince George’s County and within a five-mile radius of the City of Hyattsville. Offers were due by Nov. 7.
The Trump administration has prioritized immigration enforcement. To that end, ICE is seeking office space in hundreds of offices nationwide to house thousands of lawyers and immigration enforcement officers, according to The Washington Post Hyattsville already houses an Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) field office on Belcrest Road.
According to its website,
the OPLA is the Department of Homeland Security’s largest legal program, with more than 1,700 attorneys and nearly 300 support personnel. OPLA serves as the “exclusive representative of DHS in immigration removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, litigating all removal cases including those against criminal aliens, terrorists, and human rights abusers.”
Following a November Washington Business Journal article about ICE looking for office space near Hyattsville, an ICE spokesperson issued the following statement: "With over 400 offices across the United States and around the world, ICE is ensuring criminal aliens do not walk free in American communities. Now, thanks to the [One] Big Beautiful Bill, ICE’s presence is expanding, criminal safe havens are shrinking, and time is running out for any illegal alien who foolishly decides to risk permanent removal rather than self-deport.”
On Nov. 24, Indivisible Route 1 Corridor, a local offshoot of the progressive national nonprofit Indivisible, put out an open letter to 15 area landlords with properties that could match the proposed ICE field office requirements. “We want to express our deep concern over the prospect of any of our communities in Prince George’s County having to host the presence of an armed, federal force which has been documented to consistently act in brutal, dangerous, and unconstitutional ways with no accountability,” the letter states. “If you are considering renting office space to ICE, we earnestly hope that you will reconsider.”
According to an ICE website, on Dec. 11, ICE is hosting a virtual job fair for OPLA general attorneys.
The Life & Times submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to ICE to learn who responded to the office space request, along with who received the lease contract. As of press time, ICE had not responded.
CUANDO NO SABES A DÓNDE RECURRIR PORQUE ALGUIEN BEBE DEMASIADO.
Hay esperanza y ayuda para las familias y amistades de los alcohólicos en Al-Anon.
Grupos Familiares Al-Anon, llamen al 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org
Hyattsville author Sargeant defends dependence, dialogue
By STELLA GARNER
Leah Libresco Sargeant, like many authors, has a blog. Like others, Sergeant posts opinions on sensitive topics. But unlike many in a digital culture driven by polarization, Sergeant does something more: She invites readers to challenge her.
“What it means is, I've got readers who have been with me for four or five years now who definitely don’t agree on anything and everything with me, and would be really sad if I were president,” Sergeant told the Life & Times. “It gives us a space to work together on the places where we’re in agreement, whether that’s paid family leave or more support for moms after birth, and just to hear each other out.”
A resident of Hyattsville since 2022, Sergeant said she was first motivated to move to the area after seeing local children out on a snow day. Parents couldn’t tell the kids apart because of their heavy coats, but it didn’t matter, Sergeant said — ev-
Ultimately, Sargeant is advocating for Americans to lean on one another at a time when workplace culture — and American culture at large — often demeans the idea of reaching out in times of need.
eryone looked out for one another, regardless. This pursuit of connection is a large part of Sargeant’s life — and the focus of her newest work.
Sergeant’s third book, The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto, was published by Notre Dame Press in October. In it, Sargeant argues that women and men must embrace their dif-
ferences and their dependence on others — rather than attempting to handle life alone — to lead fulfilling lives and connect to their broader community.
“Our society is founded on a poor conception of what it means to be human, as though we are, at our core, autonomous individuals,” Sergeant said. “When you start with that assumption, you constantly shortchange anyone who falls short of that definition, which is everyone.”
A practicing Catholic and mother of three, Sergeant represents the largely unexplored space between pro-life and mainstream feminism in her work and on her Substack, Other Feminisms. Following the release of The Dignity of Dependence, Sergeant gained a wider audience from reviews in national publications like The Atlantic and The Washington Post, along with an appearance on The New York Times columnist Ross Douthat’s podcast.
Sergeant says her openness to dialogue with a range of opinions comes from her early expe-
riences with the internet.
“[I started] writing in college, back in the golden age of blogging, when everything was a big, rowdy conversation,” Sargeant said. “And part of the fun of having a Substack is having kind of a curated space for conversation. That's why I end with questions [where] I often share reader responses. It's a way of continuing to talk to a group of people when things like Twitter [now known as X] are really fragmentary.”
Sergeant’s book comes at a critical time, when prominent political voices of every ideology have deepened the divide among Americans. In her appearance on Douthat’s podcast, Sergeant was joined by conservative commentator Helen Andrews, who has found prominence with her argument that women should return to tradi-
2025 Local Holiday Gift Guide
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tional homemaking roles.
But what Sargeant has proposed is something radically different — that the U.S. workplace isn’t a good fit for anyone.
“We see fertility being pushed back further and further, marriage being pushed back further and further, and that this is something where people feel happy with the trade-offs in the moment, but not in the long term,” Sergeant said. “That's where I think we can say the workplace isn't well-suited for this, because it kind of asks you to make these compromises, but doesn't pay you back in the long term.”
Much of Sargeant’s thesis centers around her experiences with pregnancy and the ways in which mothers learn to lean on others, as well as how the American system is hostile to those who need care.
“I think pregnancy is the kind of very unique way people confront the sense of dependency,” Sergeant said. “It's one of the the noisiest ways to be confronted with it, and one of the ways people get confronted with it earliest. … It's always, for me, that question of — you’re going to find this out at some point — when is the hollowness of autonomy going to be evident to you?”
Sargeant hopes that The Dignity of Dependence’s 232 pages will confront readers with uncomfortable opinions, allow them to sit with the ideas and eventually come to their own conclusions on the topics presented within.
“There will be moments where [readers are] hopefully deeply in agreement with me, and then they turn the page, and I say something where they go, ‘Oh, but I don’t agree with this,’” Sergeant said. “If I could guarantee readers got what I wanted to get out of it, it wouldn't be a book — it would be mind control.”
Ultimately, Sargeant is advocating for Americans to lean on one another at a time when workplace culture — and American culture at large — often demeans the idea of reaching out in times of need.
“When I give book talks, I tell people that I’d like them to ask for help in the next week with something they could have solved on their own or could have paid to solve,” Sergeant said. “That's kind of the personto-person place you start. And then, I think, we can go a long way in terms of treating these disruptions as part of the normal pattern of human life.”
Stella Garner is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Maryland.
Leah Libresco Sargeant COURTESY OF LEAH LIBRESCO SARGEANT
a solid, stoneware look and feel: bold, thick, often gently rounded shapes that I know will withstand the test of time and regular, practical household use; subtle, touchable textures of stone, sand, or smooth striations of the spun clay; comforting earth-toned hues of speckled tan and brown, jade greens, pastel and pastoral blues.”
Wissinger’s foray into pottery actually started a lot earlier than that first class in his freshman year. Growing up in rural western Pennsylvania, he enjoyed making things and spent a lot of time in the woods connecting with nature. He remembers being intrigued by the tracks that animals left in the mud, which helped spark his interest in the versatility of clay.
“It's the sense that you can almost make it into anything,” he said. Seeing the footprints in the mud fueled Wissinger’s love of making patterns and stamps in clay, which he did quite a bit of as a child. “Everything just carries over for me, and it's very natural,” the artist noted. “I also have a very keen interest in early American tools and folksiness, so pottery kind of scratches that itch for me a little bit, too.”
After graduating with a bachelor’s in ceramic arts and ceramics from Grand Canyon, Wissinger enrolled at Northern Arizona University’s graduate school for ceramics. During his time there, he studied with a professor whose specialized field of study was glazes, the color coating that gives ceramic its color and durability. After a year of study and work in the studio, Wissinger started a Master of Fine Arts program at The University of Tulsa, where he received a graduate assistantship in the studio.
At Tulsa, Wissinger conducted a deeper exploration of ceramics and pottery — including their history and significance to certain cultures, along with firing tech-
Wissinger's work incorporates muted colors, such as tan, pastel blue and jade green (left, top). Before they are glazed and fired in the kiln, however, the pieces are left to dry out for a couple of days (right, bottom).
niques.. One of the “cool things about those years, too, is that my professor, Thomas Manhart, would bring in artists to do workshops for students, which was important as we were somewhat isolated in Oklahoma.”
These visiting artists, Wissinger explains, were instrumental in his development as a ceramicist, because he and other students would have to prepare hundreds of pounds of clay and learn about pottery and ceramic work from non-Western traditions.
Wissinger spent four years at Tulsa, graduating with his MFA and also meeting his eventual
Lisa, a
artist and former dean for the School of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason University. He spent time working various jobs in local Tulsa museums, but, eventually, he, Lisa and two other friends bought old equipment from a deceased potter and opened a ceramic gallery and studio in downtown Tulsa.
“We were making functional things,” Wissinger said. “I was making hybrids of ancient and modern, and at that period, I was trying to make amphorae [ancient-style jars or vases]. But then I got into making dinnerware be-
cause some friends needed some.”
Today, that Tulsa studio is a thriving business in the city’s gentrified arts district, but Wissinger and Lisa eventually sold their stake and moved to Tampa, Fla., for Lisa’s job at the Tampa Museum of Art. Eventually, Wissinger also accepted a position in the collections and exhibitions department. He also taught ceramic classes and spent time experimenting with various pottery processes, such as replicating techniques used to make Roman and Greek pottery, and working with different slips (the liquid mixture of clay and water used
in pottery) and different types of clays. After six years in Tampa, Wissinger and Lisa moved to Hyattsville in 2006.
From his small but efficient backyard studio, Wissinger is producing more functional items these days and gets orders from neighbors. He works in red- and white-body clays and experiments with glazes that produce muted colors. He even experiments with ways to apply special graphics on his pieces, based on a customer request.
Pottery work requires many steps, including designing the piece, preparing the clay, shaping the clay on the wheel, drying, firing the bisque, glazing and, in some cases, a second firing. Wissinger says it takes him about three or four minutes to shape a piece and a few days to let it dry out before glazing. Firing takes about 16 hours.
Wissinger still has that fulltime job moving precious art (he once moved a Rembrandt), so the time he spends in his studio varies. “It ebbs and flows,” he said. “During COVID when I wasn’t working, I was in here seven hours a day. It was great.”
For now, pottery work scratches a creative itch for the artist and allows him to explore ancient pottery techniques that satisfy his intellectual curiosity. Orders are not constant, which is why he doesn’t depend on his pottery for an income, but that may change one day. “I think about switching over to it, especially when I retire,” he said. “Hopefully, I can retire in about four years, if I’m lucky, and then I'm definitely gonna be in
wife,
visual
NIGEL F. MAYNARD
REWILDING ROUTE 1
Merry Mistletoe!
By RICK BORCHELT
When I was growing up in the Missouri Ozarks, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were always given over to the hunt for mistletoe — not for its well-known canoodling connotation, mind you, but for cold, hard cash.
As soon as the leaves blew down in late November, exposing the evergreen mistletoe clumps high in the oak trees that grew on the flinty hills and ridges, I’d be out with my favorite .22-caliber rifle and a handful of shells. I’d have been practicing my marksmanship to be able to hit the mistletoe boughs precisely where they attached to the tree in order to bring down the entire cluster without shooting the mistletoe itself to bits.
On a good day, I’d down a dozen or so big boughs that I would then hack into saleable twigs (each with a few white berries). I’d raid my grandmother’s sewing basket for red ribbon to festoon them and sell them to local markets and groceries for the princely sum of a quarter each. I’d buy a lot of my family’s holiday presents each year with mistletoe money.
Kissing under the mistletoe is a European Yule custom brought here by colonists. While their mistletoe was European mistletoe (Viscum album), our American version (Phoradendron leucarpum) was a close enough look-alike for transplanted colonials to keep the mistletoe make-out tradition alive.
Both the European and American species, after all, are ever-
green hemiparasites: For most of their lives, they derive water and nutrients from their host tree, which they attach to with a root-like organ, the haustorium, that siphons off food and moisture to nurture the mistletoe.
Both mistletoes are members of the plant order Santales, named for their fellow hemiparasitic plant, aromatic sandalwood (Santalum), much used in perfumery and incense. Both have bright white berries beloved by fruit-eating birds. European mistletoe is much larger than its American counterpart when fully grown and much more common; it’s a major winter food source for all kinds of birds, including the aptly named mistle thrush. It’s also a significant drain on the health of trees, especially oaks.
In Maryland, though, American mistletoe mostly eschews oak for red maples and is common in the coastal swamps on the Eastern Shore, where red maple is abundant. While Phoradendron occurs north into New Jersey, scientists have found that it can’t survive winters where the mean January temperature is lower than about 40 F. A warming climate, however, means that American mistletoe is inching northward every year, especially along bays and waterways that moderate winter’s cold. Locally, it’s seen in D.C., Laurel, University Park, Riverdale Park, Takoma Park and Glenn Dale; a few winter hikes in the woods would likely turn up many more locations.
Mistletoes comprise a large group of some 1,500 mostly tropical species. One thing they all have in common is that
their seeds lack a hard coat, which most flowering plants’ seeds have. Instead, their berries are covered with a viscous slime. This is a clever adaptation to keep the seeds from falling to the ground, where they would invariably perish. The seeds need to fall into a crack or crevice or ridge on a branch of an appropriate tree species to make a go of it. Sometimes this is accomplished when a fastidious bird wipes the gooey mess off its beak onto a nearby branch or trunk; sometimes birds poop out the seeds in sticky masses or strings that adhere to branches or bark as they fall. It takes American mistletoe about a year to infiltrate bark and tap into a tree’s food stores; during that year, it’s on its own, photosynthetically.
Some etymologists believe this scatological natural history shows up in the common name mistletoe, believed to be a combination of Anglo-Saxon words for dung, “mistil,” and twig, “tan.” Literally, “poop on a twig.” (That’s probably not something you want to share with your lip-locked partner as you’re rocking to the tune of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”) The etymology of the scientific name is more suited to amorous discourse: Phoradendron comes from the Greek and translates as “thief of the tree,” leucarpum means “white fruit.”
There is an historical connection between mistletoe in Europe and various pagan practitioners, some of whom revered mistletoe as sacred to the gods and would harvest the clumps at winter solstice with a golden sickle. European mistletoe berries gave rise to the Greek name that means “oak sperm,” while the Celts associated the glisten-
ing white berries with the semen of their thunder god, Taranis. (Probably another tale best not told while bussing under the bough.)
One of the niceties of the mistletoe-kiss tradition that seems to have been lost in American translation is that for every kiss you claim, you need to remove a berry from the clump. When the berries are all gone, so, too, is the power of mistletoe to compel a smooch.
All parts of the Eastern and European mistletoes are toxic, especially the berries, so be sure to keep your kissing confined to underneath the bough instead of holding the sprig in your teeth between you and your partner!
Rick Borchelt is a science writer, field naturalist and garden and botany enthusiast. Reach him with questions about this column at rborchelt@gmail.com.
The glistening white berries of American mistletoe gave rise in antiquity to some pretty racy origin stories. COURTESY OF WAYNE LONGBOTTOM
THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
The Hyattsville Reporter
The City staff and Council packed 121 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 y miembros de Concejo empaquetó 121 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.
Stop Sign Cameras Coming Soon
The City of Hyattsville will be placing up to six stop sign cameras next year. Earlier this year the State of Maryland issued legislation allowing stop sign cameras within school zones in Prince George’s County, and the City of Hyattsville began pursuing installation of cameras at intersections where frequent violations have been reported. Thirty-five (35) total locations in the City are eligible for the cameras, meaning the City can move the cameras if the need arises.
Hyattsville Police Chief Jarod Towers shared, “the goal of the program is to encourage drivers to use caution when approaching places where some of our most vulnerable pedestrians, children, are traveling to and from school. Their safety is our priority.”
The cameras will capture license plate photos of violators and issue citations, similar to the City’s speed camera program. For more information visit hyattsville.org/police.
HOLIDAY SERVICE CHANGES
Hyattsville city offices will close on Thursday, December 25 for Christmas. No change to yard waste and compost pick up. Wednesday and Thursday trash routes collected on Wednesday, December 24. Recycling routes will move from Thursday to Friday, and from Friday to Saturday.
City offices will also be closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year’s Day. No change to yard waste and compost pick up. Wednesday and Thursday trash routes collected on Wednesday, December 31. Recycling routes will move from Thursday to Friday, and from Friday to Saturday.
For more information, visit hyattsville.org/trash.
Próxima Instalación de Cámaras En Señales de Alto
La ciudad de Hyattsville instalará hasta seis cámaras en señales de alto el próximo año. A principios de este año, el Estado de Maryland emitió una legislación que permite cámaras en las señales de alto dentro de las zonas escolares del Condado de Prince George, y la ciudad de Hyattsville comenzó a gestionar la instalación de cámaras en intersecciones donde se han reportado infracciones frecuentes. Un total de treinta y cinco (35) ubicaciones en la ciudad son elegibles para las cámaras, lo que significa que la ciudad puede mover las cámaras si surge la necesidad.
El jefe de policía de Hyattsville, Jarod Towers, explicó: “El objetivo del programa es incentivar a los conductores a tener precaución al acercarse a lugares donde algunos de nuestros peatones más vulnerables, los niños, se desplazan hacia y desde la escuela. Su seguridad es nuestra prioridad.”
Las cámaras captarán las matrículas de los infractores y emitirán multas, de forma similar al programa de cámaras de velocidad de la ciudad. Para obtener más información, visite hyattsville.org/police.
CAMBIOS EN LOS SERVICIOS DURANTE LAS FESTIVIDADES
Las oficinas municipales de Hyattsville cerrarán el jueves 25 de diciembre por Navidad. No habrá cambios en la recolección de desechos de jardín y compost. Las rutas de recolección de basura del miércoles y jueves se realizarán el miércoles 24 de diciembre. Las rutas de reciclaje del condado se trasladarán del jueves al viernes y del viernes al sábado.
Las oficinas de la ciudad también permanecerán cerradas el jueves 1 de enero por Año Nuevo. No habrá cambios en la recolección de desechos de jardín y compost. Las rutas de recolección de basura del miércoles y jueves se realizarán el miércoles 31 de diciembre. Las rutas de reciclaje del condado se trasladarán del jueves al viernes y del viernes al sábado.
Para obtener más información, visite hyattsville.org/trash.
ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS
STREET IMPROVEMENT FEEDBACK NEEDED
Share your thoughts on current street improvement projects!
• Nicholson St: Complete the survey at HelloHyattsville.com by December 12 to provide feedback on the speed cushion installation on the 4000 Block of Nicholson Street.
• Lancer & Longfellow: Review the proposed traffic calming measures for Lancer & Longfellow Streets and provide feedback at HelloHyattsville.com until December 19.
• Jamestown Rd: Review the proposed Green Street improvements and provide feedback at HelloHyattsville. com by February 28
Find details about these projects and more at hyattsville. org/streets.
NEW PARKING ZONE 5
At the request of residents, The City of Hyattsville recently established a new residential parking zone – Zone 5 – within Ward 3. If you live in Zone 5, on-street parking is only allowed with a valid parking permit during the times noted on the street signs. Visit hyattsville.org/rpz to view the parking zone map and to apply for a residential parking permit.
RECYCLING
DROP-OFF CENTER REMINDER
A reminder that you can now bring hard-to-recycle items like clothing, Styrofoam, batteries, bulbs, and electronics to our new recycling drop-off center at 4631 Arundel Place.
Access the drop-off center by turning right before the main Department of Public Works gate and then parking in the lot below. Clothing and shoes can be placed in the large white bins. Additional items can be brought into the center through the door closest to the clothing bins.
Drop-off hours are Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m., and Fridays, 8 a.m.–12 p.m. City of Hyattsville residents only; please bring a photo ID with your address. Find details and a list of accepted items at hyattsville.org/recycling.
FREE MENTAL WELLNESS SERVICES
Take advantage of the City’s individual and family therapy sessions as part of “In Wellness We Thrive,”. For families with children, young adults aged 12–24, and now older adults age 50+, you can participate in free, bilingual therapy sessions.
You must be a resident of the City of Hyattsville and meet income eligibility requirements to apply. Get the help you or your loved ones need to thrive! Register at hyattsville.org/ youth-mental-health.
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. More information at hyattsville.org/homerepair.
THE BATTLE OF THE LIGHTS! HOLIDAY LIGHT CONTEST
It’s that festive time of year again—time to nominate your home, a neighbor’s, or that stunning house a few blocks away for the annual holiday light contest, Battle of the Lights! Visit hyattsville.org/ holiday-contest from November 28 to December 12 to complete the nomination form. Online judging will take place from December 22–31. Winners will be announced at the City Council meeting and featured on our social media accounts. Good luck to all participants!
SE NECESITA OPINIÓN SOBRE LAS MEJORAS VIALES
¡Comparta su opinión sobre los proyectos actuales de mejora de las calles!
• Nicholson St: Complete la encuesta en HelloHyattsville.com antes del 12 de diciembre para dar su opinión sobre la instalación de reductores de velocidad en la cuadra 4000 de Nicholson Street.
• Lancer y Longfellow: Revise las medidas propuestas para reducir la velocidad del tráfico en las calles Lancer y Longfellow y dé su opinión en HelloHyattsville.com hasta el 19 de diciembre.
• Jamestown Rd: Revise las mejoras propuestas para Green Street y envíe sus comentarios a HelloHyattsville.com antes del 28 de febrero Encuentre más detalles sobre estos proyectos y mucho más en hyattsville.org/streets.
NUEVA ZONA DE ESTACIONAMIENTO 5
A petición de los residentes, la ciudad de Hyattsville ha establecido recientemente una nueva zona de estacionamiento residencial, la Zona 5, dentro del Distrito 3. Si vive en la Zona 5, solo se permite estacionar en la calle con un permiso de estacionamiento válido durante las horas indicadas en las señales de tráfico. Visite hyattsville.org/rpz para ver el mapa de la zona de estacionamiento y solicitar un permiso de estacionamiento residencial.
RECORDATORIO SOBRE EL CENTRO DE RECOGIDA DE RECICLAJE
Le recordamos que ahora puede llevar artículos difíciles de reciclar, como ropa, espuma de poliestireno, baterías, focos y aparatos electrónicos, a nuestro nuevo centro de recogida de reciclaje ubicado en 4631 Arundel Place.
Para acceder al centro de recogida, gire a la derecha antes de la puerta principal del Departamento de Obras Públicas y aparque en el aparcamiento de abajo. La ropa y los zapatos se pueden depositar en los grandes contenedores blancos. Los demás artículos se pueden llevar al centro a través de la puerta más cercana a los contenedores de ropa.
El horario de entrega es de lunes a jueves, de 8:00 a.m. a 3:00 p.m., y los viernes, de 8:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. Solo para residentes de la Ciudad de Hyattsville; por favor, traiga un documento de identidad con fotografía y su dirección. Encontrará más detalles y una lista de los artículos aceptados en hyattsville.org/recycling.
SERVICIOS DE BIENESTAR MENTAL GRATUITOS
Aprovecha las sesiones de terapia individual y familiar de la Ciudad como parte de “In Wellness We Thrive,”. Las familias con niños, los jóvenes de entre 12 y 24 años y, ahora, los adultos mayores de 50 años o más pueden participar en sesiones de terapia bilingües gratuitas.
Debes ser residente de la Ciudad de Hyattsville y cumplir con los requisitos de elegibilidad de ingresos para aplicar. ¡Obtén la ayuda que tú o tus seres queridos necesitan para prosperar! Inscríbete en hyattsville.org/youth-mental-health.
PROGRAMAS DE 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.
¡LA BATALLA DE LAS LUCES! CONCURSO DE LUCES FESTIVAS
¡Ha llegado nuevamente esa época festiva! Es momento de nominar su casa, la de un vecino, ¡o esa impresion¬ante casa a unos bloques de distancia para el Concurso anual de Luces Festivas! Visite hyattsville.org/holiday-contest del 28 de noviembre al 12 de diciembre para completar el formulario de nominación. La evaluación en línea se llevará a cabo del 22 al 31 de diciembre. Los ganadores se anunciarán en la reunión del Concejo Municipal y se destacarán en nuestras redes sociales. ¡Buena suerte a todos los participantes!
CALENDAR | CALENDARIO
FREE ZUMBA CLASSES
Mondays & Wednesdays, 4 - 5 PM at the City Building! Zumba is cancelled later this month on December 22, 24, 29, and 31.
SEATED EXERCISES
Older adults can join on Wednesdays, 10 - 11 AM. at the City Building. Register: hyattsville.org/seniors or 301-985-5000.
TEEN CENTER SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Entrepreneurial Workshop, December 11, 5-6 p.m.: Learn about the world of entrepreneurship through fun challenges and group activities that will build confidence, creativity, problem solving. Find details at hyattsville.org/teen-center.
CARE PARTNER SUPPORT GROUP
Join the City’s care partner support group on Dec. 12, 9:30 - 10:45 AM at the City Building. More info 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 December 12! Kids participate in fun activities while you get a night out! hyattsville.org/nightowls.
WORKSHOP: HEALTHY AGING AND NUTRITION
Attend a free workshop on December 15 from 10–11:30 a.m. with a Registered Dietician (RD) from the Program for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to discuss healthy eating habits, meal preparation, and navigating dietary needs as you age.
The workshop will be held at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. Space is limited; registration is required. Free transportation is available for Hyattsville residents. For more information and to register, visit hyattsville.org/seniors or call (301) 985-5000.
FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Pick up bags of free produce on Tuesday, December 16, at the First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Rd., starting at noon.
CERT MEETING
The next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) organization meeting is on Dec. 17, 6:30 PM, at the City Building. hyattsville.org/CERT.
OLDER ADULT OUTINGS!
Join neighbors and friends for special trips to local attractions! Reserve your seat at hyattsville.org/seniors or call (301) 985-5000 by 2 p.m. the Wednesday before the trip. Spots are first come, first served! Transportation is available for Hyattsville residents.
• December 18, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover
• January 5, 1–3 p.m.: Free Movie Monday, Old Greenbelt Theater
FREE NARCAN TRAININGS
Free NARCAN community trainings are offered at the City Building on Dec. 18 at 6 PM and Dec. 19 at 10 AM. hyattsville.org/NARCAN.
EARLY DISMISSAL CAMP
K–5 students can join Day Camp at Driskell Park on December 19, 10:30AM–5:30PM, after PGCPS early dismissal. Register: hyattsville.org/minicamp.
INVASIVE VINE REMOVALS
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) is partnering with the City of Hyattsville and Casey Trees to remove invasive vines from homes in Hyattsville! If you would like to have vines removed from your property, visit hyattsville.org/vineremoval for details.
Volunteers are needed on December 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. for invasive vine removal at Melrose Park (RSVP to environment@hyattsville. org) Training and tools will be provided, and student servicelearning hours are available.
WINTER CAMP!
Limited spots are still available for this year’s Winter Camp! Kids in grades K–5 can participate in day camps on December 22–23, 26, and 29–31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After care is available for an additional fee. For more information and to register, go to hyattsville.org/camps.
CLASES GRATUITAS DE ZUMBA
Lunes y miércoles, 4 - 5 PM en el Edificio Municipal! Las clases de Zumba se cancelarán los días 22, 24, 29 y 31 de diciembre.
EJERCICIOS
SENTADOS
Los adultos mayores pueden unirse los miércoles, 10 - 11 AM. en el Edificio Municipal. Inscríbase: hyattsville.org/ seniors o 301-985-5000.
PROGRAMAS DEL CENTRO PARA ADOLESCENTES
Taller de emprendimiento, 11 de diciembre, de 5 a 6 p.m.: Aprende sobre el mundo del emprendimiento a través de divertidos retos y actividades en grupo que fomentarán la confianza, la creatividad y la resolución de problemas. Para obtener más información e inscribirse, visite hyattsville. org/teen-center.
GRUPO DE APOYO
PARA CUIDADORES
Reunirse con otros cuidadores el 12 de diciembre, de 9:30 - 10:45 AM en el Edificio Municipal. Inscríbase: hyattsville.org/calendar.
¡BÚHOS NOCTURNOS!
Deje a su(s) pequeño(s) en los grados K-5 en el Driskell Park Rec Center de 6 - 9 PM el 12 de diciembre. Los niños participarán en divertidas actividades mientras tú pasas una noche fuera. hyattsville. org/nightowls.
TALLER:
ENVEJECIMIENTO
SALUDABLE Y NUTRICIÓN
Asista a un taller gratuito el 15 de diciembre de 10 a 11:30 a.m. con una dietista registrada (RD) del Programa de Atención Integral para Personas Mayores (PACE) para hablar sobre hábitos alimenticios saludables, preparación de comidas y manejo de necesidades dietéticas a medida que envejece.
El taller se llevará a cabo en el edificio municipal, 4310 Gallatin Street. El cupo es limitado; es necesario inscribirse. Hay transporte gratuito disponible para los residentes de Hyattsville. Para obtener más información e inscribirse, visite
hyattsville.org/seniors o llame al (301) 985-5000.
DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ALIMENTOS GRATIS
Distribución gratuita de productos el 16 de diciembre en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, 6201 Belcrest Rd., a partir del mediodía.
REUNIÓN CERT
La próxima reunión del Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta ante Emergencias (CERT) es el 17 de dic., a las 6:30 PM, en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/CERT.
PASEOS PARA ADULTOS MAYORES
¡Reserve su puesto para un paseo especial a atracciones locales llamando al (301) 9855000 antes de las 2 p.m. del miércoles anterior al paseo!
Se ofrece transporte desde el Edificio Municipal y Friendship Arms Apartments.
• 18 de diciembre, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: Arundel Mills Mall, Hanover
• 5 de enero, 1–3 p.m.: Lunes de Cine Gratis, Old Greenbelt Theater
ENTRENAMIENTO DE NARCAN GRATUITO
Entrenamientos gratuitos
NARCAN se ofrecen en el Edificio Municipal el 18 de dic., a las 6 PM y el 19 de dic., a las 10 AM. hyattsville. org/NARCAN.
CAMPAMENTO DE SALIDA TEMPRANA
K-5 estudiantes pueden unirse a un Dia de
Campamento en Driskell Park el 19 de diciembre, 10:30AM-5:30PM, después de la salida temprana de PGCPS. hyattsville.org/minicamp.
ELIMINACIÓN DE ENREDADERAS INVASIVAS
¡La Red de Acción Climática de Chesapeake (CCAN) se ha unido con la ciudad de Hyattsville y Casey Trees para eliminar las enredaderas invasoras de las casas de Hyattsville! Si desea que se eliminen las enredaderas de su propiedad, visite hyattsville. org/vine-removal para detalles.
¡Se necesitan voluntarios en el 20 de diciembre, de 10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m. para eliminación de enredaderas invasivas en Melrose Park (confirme su asistencia en environment@hyattsville. org) Se proporcionará capacitación y herramientas, y se ofrecen horas de aprendizaje-servicio para estudiantes.
CAMPAMENTO DE INVIERNO!
¡Todavía quedan plazas disponibles para el campamento de invierno de este año! Los niños de K–5 pueden participar en los campamentos diurnos los días 22–23, 26 y 29–31 de diciembre, de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m. Se ofrece servicio de cuidado posterior por un costo adicional. Para obtener más información y registrarse, visite hyattsville.org/camps.
Hyattsville DPW sets up festive decorations at Driskell Park! | ¡El Departamento de Obras Públicas de Hyattsville instala decoraciones festivas en Driskell Park!
HIGHLIGHTS | LO DESTACADO
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Unearthing the secrets of French gardeners
Dear Miss Floribunda,
I have been reading your column for years now, and you seem to visit France annually. Have you learned any of their gardening secrets? Please share anything you think might be interesting.
Curious on Crittenden Street
Dear Curious,
You must take into account that I visit Normandy in the north of France, rather than Provence in the south. I see apple orchards rather than lavender fields.
What intrigues me most at this time of year — and I usually visit in late summer or fall — is the donut-shaped mounds of fallen apples that are placed around each tree after harvest. While the apples don’t touch the bark of the tree, their nutrients are returned to the soil as they decompose.
Breathing the air at this time is intoxicating: It’s much like drinking a glass of Calvados apple brandy. In France, what comes from the earth goes right back into the earth. Some trends that I have seen treated as novel in our country in my lifetime — organic gardening, companion planting, permaculture — are simply traditional in France.
Now, I can’t think of any secrets intentionally hidden from the rest of the world, but there are things that are surprising when discovered.
At first I found it puzzling to see lots of asters and dahlias in French gardens in autumn, but no chrysanthemums. Even stranger, all the grocery stores and markets offered them for sale in October in great abundance. Finally, a visit to a cemetery on All Souls’ Day enlightened me: It is the custom to bring pots of chrysanthemums to the graves of deceased loved ones every Nov. 2. The association French people have with this flower is funereal rather than joyful, so it is rare to see it in a home garden.
Another thing that surprised me when I first came to France was the sight of pink hydrangeas and the absence of blue ones. Soil in France is more alkaline than acidic, and the color of most hydrangeas depends on soil pH, with “sweet,” or alkaline, soil producing pink flowers and “sour,” or acidic, soil resulting in blue ones.
Whenever I come to France, I visit two couples who love to garden. Usually I am invited to dinner by the near neighbors of my sister Polyantha, with whom I stay: Monsieur and Madame Mainverte. Clematis, greatly favored in France, covers the arbor over their front gate, and dahlias and nasturtiums line the walkway to their house. Neatly pruned rose bushes pro-
vide focal points, and pears are trained on espaliers against the short wall around the front of the house.
Most of the land surrounding their house is devoted to a “potager,” or kitchen garden. Cabbage, pumpkins, lettuce, beets, onions and carrots were among the vegetables still flourishing. Although my hosts had recently pulled out their bean and toma-
to plants, they shared with me some extremely flavorful tomatoes called “cœur de pigeon,” or “pigeon heart.” These had been picked green and put in a bag with bananas to ripen them.
My hosts do not use insecticides or weed-killers on their plants, but rather recommend planting mustard as a deterrent to both weeds and unwanted insects. Because even summer days can be gray and damp in Normandy, they contend with molds and mildew. They mix skim milk and rainwater to make an effective spray. Coffee grounds are spread to balance the soil pH.
The other place I am invited to dinner is at the estate of M. et Mme. Bienveillant de Beaupelouse. Although their château was destroyed during the French Revolution, they have turned the quite spacious stables into a lovely home surrounded by great expanses of velvety lawn.
Gravel is the usual choice for pathways in France, which my hosts had artfully arranged for convenience and aesthetic appeal. In addition, I always admire their lovely “parterres,” or garden beds (literally “on the ground”), with flowers appropriate to each season. In late
autumn, these are filled with winter-hardy pansies.
Fallen leaves from the trees are not composted, but are burned. In an inner courtyard are board-sided raised beds filled with flourishing vegetables. These are fertilized with compost and ashes, and by mud from the small river that runs through the property. The “rivière,” I might add, is large enough for my hosts’ grandchildren to navigate the boat made for them by their grandfather.
“Savon noir,” or “black soap,” is used as a natural insecticide. This paste, made of olive oil and potash, is an ancient remedy going back to the glory days of Babylon. My host mixes it with water, and sprays it on the leaves of his plants. It is effective against fungi and the larvae of thrips and other harmful insects but does not harm beneficial insects.
Please check the website of Hyattsville Horticultural Society, hyattsvillehorticulture.org, for its next meeting and annual seed sale.
Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Life & Times You may email her at Floribundav@gmail.com.
Chrysanthemums in the Evreux open-air market MISS FLORIBUNDA
City Youth Advisory Council plans to lead county mental health awareness, training
By RYAN ROSS
The Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is addressing challenges teens face in accessing mental health resources and ensuring their peers have the support they need.
The youth council, made up of 10 students who attend local schools, including Northwestern High School, St. Jerome Academy, College Park Academy and Prince George’s Community College, advises the Hyattsville mayor and city council on issues impacting youth.
At their Oct. 9 meeting, YAC members discussed plans to expand mental health awareness by promoting online software to help youths and their family members recognize someone struggling with mental health. These online training programs include Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR); the Be There Certificate; and Mental Health First Aid. These courses are designed to teach participants how to identify the signs of mental illness, talk to someone who may be struggling and refer them to a professional, City Youth Programs Coordinator Ronald Lewis said.
Members discussed creating flyers and posters featuring the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, as well as spreading awareness through social media posts on Instagram. They plan to coordinate with the city’s communications team to release content for events, such as World Teen Mental Wellness Day on March 2 and Mental Health Awareness Month in May, said Litzy Velasquez, a YAC member and a junior at College Park Academy. Lewis spoke often during the meeting, guiding the council’s discussion on mental health. He explained how the training pro-
gram QPR works: “It teaches you how to identify someone struggling with their mental health. Things they may say or do, and some behaviors.” He noted that the program also addresses persuasion, “because you may try and persuade your friend, your family, whoever to seek help, get resources they need, and be referred to a mental health service.”
EveryMind is a nonprofit mental health organization that offers QPR training services, Lewis said.
Lewis also introduced the Be There Certificate, which is
a self-paced training aimed mostly at youth, teaching them how to recognize mental health challenges and provide support in a safe way. The program has six interactive lessons, takes less than two hours and is free. It’s also available in French, English and Spanish.
The advisory group also plans to promote Mental Health First Aid, which offers training for youth and adults. The course teaches participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders.
City Councilmember Joanne
Waszczak (Ward 1) attended the meeting and said the Mental Health First Aid program is beneficial and widely available. “It has a youth-specific training and an age-agnostic one that anyone can take,” Waszczak said. “It's good because you learn the same thing as other people in the community, and you have a shared language.”
Waszczak said police officers in Hyattsville receive the Mental Health First Aid “to learn how to interact with people, because sometimes someone might think that someone needs police attention, but they actually need the attention of a social worker.”
Members of the youth council explained why they chose to focus on mental health programs this year. “I actually joined YAC to help people with their mental health,” said Anastasia Keith, who attends St. Jerome Academy. Velasquez added that mental health awareness is needed beyond Hyattsville. “In our previous meeting, we also spoke about how this was a big issue, not just in our city, but nationwide and worldwide,” she said.
The next YAC meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street.
Ryan Ross is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
In June, Hyattsville officially inducted 10 students into the Youth Advisory Council, a volunteer group made up of local teens who are passionate about civic involvement, advocacy and change. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Find more local events all month long in our continuously updated online calendar at StreetcarSuburbs.News/events
Here’s our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Dec. 12, 2025, and Jan. 8, 2026; all information is current as of Dec. 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 Jan. 9 and Jan. 29, 2026, to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife. com by Jan. 1, 2026. (We’re changing our print schedule so that you receive your paper at the beginning of each month.)
Recurring
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.
Weekly acoustic blues jams, in the Piedmont blues tradition. Listeners welcome! Free. Saturdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation, 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com
Sharpen your drawing skills in a relaxed, informal setting at the 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
Early Bird Serenity Al-Anon. Support for friends and families of alcoholics based on the 12-step program. Free, all are welcome. Virtual meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information and Zoom link, email ebsalanon@ gmail.com.
Come play board games and more at Just Roll With It the third Sunday of every month. Free. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Maryland Meadworks, 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 301.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.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 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. Through Jan. 5, 2026. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.910. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
In the exhibition “What You See Is What You Get,” artist Keith Kreuger presents a collection of found-object assemblages that challenge perceptions of art, value and transformation. Free. Through Jan. 3, 2026. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@pgparks.com
Artist Caroline MacKinnon explores our place in the cosmos using various materials, including ceramic sculpture and embroidery, gouache, acrylic paint and ink in her exhibition “Eye on the Sky.” Free. Through Jan. 4, 2026). Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
December 12 & 14
Step back in time and groove to the soulful sounds of the ’60s and ’70s at a holiday soul
review featuring the Brencore All Stars. $28 general, $23 seniors and students. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect. com. Friday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 4 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
December 13
Kick off the holidays at the Brentwood Arts Exchange Holiday Craft Fair, where you can shop from over a dozen local artisans showcasing their handcrafted goods. Discover unique gifts, enjoy live music, and sip on seasonal favorites from Maryland Meadworks. Free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@ pgparks.com
Wrap up the year (and some gifts!) at Tuft’n Up Studio & Social’s Holiday Wrapping Workshop. Wrap, sip and mingle! Bring your gifts, paper and cards — enjoy music, festive drinks, holiday sweets, a gift wrap kit and pro wrapping help. Tickets on Eventbrite, starting at $65. Wrap & Go: 3 to 6 p.m. Wrap & Chill: 7 to 10 p.m. 5122 Baltimore Ave., 202.327.0531. tuftnupstudiosocial.com
At “Riversdale by Candlelight,” you'll learn about the stories of those who lived and worked in the mansion. Live music will fill the halls, and the Riversdale Kitchen Guild will be baking holiday treats in the dependency kitchen! $5. Purchase tickets through pgparks-
mini embroidered greeting cards. Free. 3 to 5 p.m. Register at pgcmls.info/events. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
December 20
Celebrate the comfort and craftsmanship of Black-owned brands that feed the body, beautify the home, and nourish the soul at Nubian Hueman’s Cocoa and Cornbread Holiday Market. Free, but an RSVP at pyramidatlanticartcenter.org is requested. Noon to 5 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101
Santa pays a trilingual visit (ASL, English and Spanish) to Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 1 to 3 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
direct.com. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@ pgparks.com
December 17
Join the Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater for “Seasons of Light,” celebrating the history and customs of Diwali (Devali), Chanukah, Las Posadas, Ramadan, Sankta Lucia Day, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the First Nations’ tradition of the winter solstice. $8 adult, $6 child. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect.com. 10 and 11:15 a.m. performances. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this is the perfect place to learn and get creative by making
Lone Mountain Band performs at Maryland Meadworks. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
December 21
With a wide selection of decorative papers and embellishments at your fingertips, you’ll learn how to cut, glue and layer for creating beautiful and unique effects during Pyramid Atlantic’s colorful collage paper ornaments workshop. $30 participant; $1 helper. Register at pyramidatlanticartcenter.org for sessions starting at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101
January 3
Maryland Meadworks welcomes guitar jazz band Scotch and Soda to its stage. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
over a $5 billion proposal to build five data centers on the former Landover Mall site, a project that has divided county leaders over whether tax revenue justifies potential impacts on electricity rates, water resources and air quality.
The original format of the meeting divided participants into small groups to discuss predetermined topics, with responses written on Post-it notes rather than spoken publicly.
Janessa Harris, who lives near the proposed Landover site off Route 202, said her group was first asked about data center aesthetics. “I think it’s odd that they want us to be concerned with aesthetics, rather than the environmental impacts, the health impacts," Harris said at the meeting. "As you can tell, a lot of residents don’t want it at all. We want it to look like nothing."
During another meeting segment, residents were asked to identify common concerns and mitigation strategies.
“The first question is, ‘How could these concerns be addressed or mitigated?’” Harris said. "If people are saying they don’t want the data center here, because of these concerns, there’s really no other way to address or mitigate it other than just listening to the residents."
Eventually, the meeting took
an unexpected turn when residents rejected the planned small-group format and demanded to speak publicly.
Jumoke Ayodeji, attending her first meeting after following the county’s Qualified Data Center Task Force for months, said the community meeting framed the issue as predetermined and that the Post-it notes could not reflect community sentiments accurately. “The way they framed it was like, yes, very much, ‘This is already decided, this is planned out. Now how can we get the community on board with us?’” Ayodeji said.
The county’s data center task force has been studying the risks and benefits of allowing data centers in the county since July. After the Oct. 25 commu-
nity meeting, the task force met on Oct. 29 and on Nov. 12 — before presenting its recommendations to the County Council in November.
“By identifying the major community concerns and highlighting industry best practices and case studies from similar jurisdictions, this report seeks to align public sentiments to policy recommendations that effectively meet the needs and priorities of the community while still providing space for economic development and industry growth within the County,” the task force noted in the executive summary.
Zaka Hossain is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
OPEN REWARDS
“The rewards app itself is free,” Ulysse explained. “The way it works is you go into an establishment in the city, you make a purchase, and on that purchase you earn percentages in rewards. Those reward dollars you could then leverage in the city again for another purchase.”
App users earn 5% in rewards for every dollar they spend at participating businesses, up to $10 per purchase. Rewards are held in the app for up to three months. Once they download the app, users enter their information, connect a debit card or bank account (optional), add their community and set up notifications. Ulysse said that because other communities participate in the Open Rewards program, app users need to specify Hyattsville.
“After you’ve completed that process, you just set up notifications, and the dashboard for the app populates. You can see all of the participating businesses, small businesses particularly, in the program.”
Hyattsville is home to more than 600 total businesses, and there are more than 400 vendors and businesses participating in the program, Ulysse said. “We wanted to open it up to all of our smaller mom-and-pop businesses that are unique either to the city or participated in city programming,” he noted. “This is an opportunity to increase foot traffic to these businesses during the holiday season and [provide] an extra boost in
local vendors and
es are participating
terms of commerce to support their efforts.”
The Open Rewards program has been years in the making, according to city staff. City representatives first explored another program called Flave, which is similar to Open Rewards but didn't do exactly what they had in mind. “We wanted something that had a direct impact on our small businesses,” Ulysse said. “Then we were introduced to Bluedot, the service provider of the [Open Rewards] platform.”
To make sure the app was perfect for the city, officials reached out to Howard County, which is a participating jurisdiction, to gather feedback on their experience and the impact of the program.
“We were essentially sold,” Ulysse said. “It's no cost to the businesses, but it also keeps our dollars here in Hyattsville, and that's really what we care about.”
Saturday, December 13, 1-4 PM
Join us for a day of family fun for all ages, including live music, bonfire s’mores, and an indoor christmas market with local vendors! 5340 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24, 7 PM
Join us this Christmas Eve for a time of love and joy 5340 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville
NEW YEARS EVE SERVICE
Thursday, December 31, 8 PM
Join us on New Year’s Eve with our special musical guests Freddy Washington Jr. and Titus Showers. 82624 Lokus Rd, Odenton
Many
business-
in the city's Open Rewards program. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
Northwestern football looks ahead after a disappointing season
By WESLEY SCHNELL
It wasn’t the season Northwestern High School varsity football had hoped for, following a one-win campaign in 2024. Winning just one game again during the regular season and losing their firstround matchup in the regional tournament, Northwestern’s season has come to an end.
Their only win of the season came back in early October when the Wildcats defeated Bladensburg High School, 238. It was the most points the team scored all season.
Aside from the win at Bladensburg, the Wildcats struggled to score points in most of their games. The team scored fewer than 10 points in every other game they played this year. In their 10-game season, the Wildcats allowed 404 total points and scored just 44 points on offense.
This year's season echoed last year's: In 2024, the Wildcats had a 1-9 record with their only win also coming against Bladensburg High School.
Even though it wasn’t a successful season, the team shows signs of improvement, led by seniors Breland Hearns, Ja-
vaine Palmer and Diego Oliva. Head coach Bryan Pierre said these three seniors showed consistency throughout the season, along with great leadership during every game — no matter what the outcome was.
Strong senior leaders build up the young players around them and shape the future for the team.
Despite only winning one game during the regular season, the Wildcats faced Wheaton High School in the first round of the regional tournament. The tournament is single elimination, and the winners compete for the state championship.
The postseason played out similar to the regular season for the Wildcats. They lost the game to Wheaton, 39-0, which ended their season.
The Wildcats will now shift their focus towards the basketball season, which continues on Dec. 8 with a home game against KIPP College Prep High School, as this paper was going to press.
Wesley Schnell is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
ART THERAPY
High school student artists led senior residents of the Friendship Arms apartment complex in a four-week art therapy program that finished up Nov. 4. Hyattsville Branch Library and the city’s Aging and Wellness Services Program partnered to create the art course. Visit HyattsvilleLife.com for the full article. LUKE ROWE
iRise helps women write their stories after breast cancer
By FAITH GILLETT WILSON
It’s hard to believe that this vibrant woman — wearing a bright orange sweatshirt and green-rimmed glasses — once felt like an octogenarian trapped in a 34-year-old body.
Gillian Lichota, a longtime Hyattsville resident and former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was reduced to a fragile version of herself during breast cancer treatment. Weakened and chair-bound, she faced death with every round of chemotherapy. Against the odds, she gave life to something greater: the iRise Above Foundation.
According to its website, the foundation empowers women in their 20s, 30s and 40s to steer their lives after breast cancer treatment. Through age-appropriate resources like wellness programs, webinars and adventure trips, iRise seeks to improve women’s health through evidence-based nutrition, exercise and mindfulness practices.
Lichota had no roadmap on how to navigate her life after breast cancer treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “There’s very little support from the wellbeing perspective from first-line medical care,” she said. “They don’t care — full stop. They just care about treating the cancer, not the whole person.”
Taking matters into her own hands, Lichota headed to Tanzania to achieve a long-held goal: reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. At her sixmonth checkup, she showed the photos to her doctor, who wondered if she might be a resource to other women in the clinic. Working with these women inspired Lichota to start the iRise foundation in 2017.
Lichota said every woman’s path through breast cancer is different. The foundation’s Rising Above Anthology Project was born from that fundamental conviction. Volume 1 of the project, the book Rising Above: Our Transformational Journey to Wholeness After Breast Cancer, was released on Oct. 23.
In the book, women share how they confronted their breast cancer diagnoses while becoming mothers, building careers, falling in love or discovering themselves. The audiobook version is free for women undergoing active treatment across North America: “When you’re going through chemotherapy,” Lichota said, “it’s nearly impossible to read.” Her hope is that patients who listen to the stories will be empowered.
Now in its eighth year, the iRise foundation provides empowering opportunities that include its flagship iJourney Program and adventure-based retreats.
Every year, the iJourney Program welcomes 14 women who are at least six months beyond active treatment for breast cancer. Over six months, participants receive personalized support from a functional medicine life coach and come together for a restorative yoga retreat and a two-week expedition. Through anti-cancer nutrition, positive psychology and other holistic practices, the program aims to address residual effects of breast cancer.
iRise’s adventure trips help women chart their next life chapter through group-centered nature exploration as a tool for healing. Their upcoming eight-day journey, set for April 2026 in the Galápagos Islands, includes a trek to the rim of the Sierra Negra Volcano. Lichota said she and the foundation will proudly continue to fill the gap in post-treatment wellness.
When asked why she chose not to simply wear the label of survivor like a badge of honor, she smiled thoughtfully and said, “If it’s a sinking ship and everyone jumps off, who’s going to plug the holes?”
Looking forward, Lichota envisions more collaboration within the breast cancer support community. Satellite campuses are set to sprout across the continent, creating more local spaces, she hopes, for connection and healing.
The iRise Above Foundation was started by longtime Hyattsville resident Gillian Lichota in 2017. COURTESY OF THE IRISE ABOVE FOUNDATION