Heather Myers had just read August’s “Miss Floribunda” column about the pesky garden infection aster yellows before noticing something peculiar in her garden. Soil tests confirmed her suspicions — the disease had made its way to her own plants. Myers, owner of Bloomsday Farm and a newsletter editor for Life & Times publisher Streetcar Suburbs News, said she didn’t initially believe the infection to be widespread. But soon it became evident
Joe Buriel weaves objects of creativity — for everyday use
By NIGEL F. MAYNARD
As a child, Joe Buriel had an interest in plants, so he became a scientist. Eventually, he ran the now-defunct Soil Testing Laboratory at the University of Maryland before he retired in 2004. Buriel also had a creative spirit, which led him to pursue a wide range of artistic expression.
ICE comes to Hyattsville
By KIT SLACK
On Sept. 24, during morning rush hour, a Hyattsville photographer filmed at least six U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arresting a man at the busy intersection of Hamilton Street and Queens Chapel Road.
In the video, officers pin the man to the ground and struggle to shackle him, holding his face against the road surface. He struggles and calls loudly for help in Spanish and English, saying he is American and was born in D.C. One officer tucks a gun into his own belt, from which it falls beside the man’s head and hand. After the officer recovers it, he points it briefly at bystanders and motorists at the intersection, who are calling out support for the man.
One of the officers wears a balaclava.
When someone yells, “Take off your mask!,” he calls back, “You want to be next?”
ICE later identified the man arrested as Job Arias-Mendoza, and said he is from El Salvador.
In an email statement, an ICE representative said Arias-Mendoza had “previously been arrested for first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, concealing a dangerous weapon, and resisting arrest,” and that he “illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown date and time.”
ICE also stated that Arias-Mendoza was found to have knives and drugs in his possession after his arrest.
On Sept. 6, two weeks prior to his arrest, Arias-Mendoza had published a video of ICE handcuffing a man in front of a West Hyattsville drive-thru liquor store to his social
media accounts. The video had more than 200,000 views on TikTok, as of Sept. 26. On Facebook, Arias-Mendoza accompanied the video with the message, in Spanish, “This happened this morning by the Aldi in West Hyattsville near the drive-thru. Be careful and God bless everybody.”
Photos and videos in Arias-Mendoza's social media accounts show him in the West Hyattsville area as far back as 2020, outside the Queenstown Apartments and in local parks. A video shows him working construction.
Maryland court records show that an officer with the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) arrested Arias-Mendoza at the end of March 2024. The Life & Times (L&T) has not found any other Maryland criminal record
On Sept. 26, at the intersection of Ager and Queens Chapel roads, Hyattsville locals protested recent U.S.
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville, Maryland. HyattsvilleLife.com StreetcarSuburbs.News
Submission Information
The Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly. We welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted to nigel@streetcarsuburbs.news
Managing Editor Nigel F. Maynard nigel@streetcarsuburbs.news
Imke Ahlf-Wien, Jessica Arends, Rick Borchelt, Victoria Boucher, Paul Ruffins
Writers & Contributors
Stella Garner, Ryan Ross, Wesley Schnell, Faith Wilson
Layout & Design Editors
Valerie Morris, Ashley Perks
Advertising Information
For advertising inquiries, please email catie@streetcarsuburbs.news or call (301) 284-8611
Streetcar Suburbs Publishing
Business Manager Catie Currie Catie@streetcarsuburbs.news
Executive Director Kit Slack Kit@streetcarsuburbs.news
Marketing Director Ashley Perks ashley@streetcarsuburbs.news
Board of Directors
President: Marta McLellan Ross
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk
General Counsel: Michael Walls
Nora Eidelman, Merrill Hartson, T. Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich, Tara Susman-Peña
Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack
The Hyattsville Life & Times is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Residents raise concerns, change shopping habits as grocery prices rise
By RYAN ROSS
John Schweitzer, a manager for Susan Gage Caterers, moved from Asheville, N.C., to Hyattsville in September 2024, drawn by a bigger paycheck. But he said grocery shopping has now become a balancing act as he manages his budget.
When he started his job in Hyattsville, Schweitzer, 66, said grocery shopping was more affordable. But prices kept rising. He said he used to budget about $25 a day for food and “a few essential items.” Now, he noted, “that’s probably heading more towards $35 to $45, so there’s definitely been an increase.”
To adapt to rising prices, Schweitzer said he has become a diligent shopper, looking for more sales. “I look for them on a daily basis,” he said. “I will usually go through the whole store, see what’s on sale … rather than just go in and choose what I want.”
Adjusting his meals based on discounts is challenging. “It’ll change from day to day. I may not want to make hummus, but the ingredients are on sale, so let’s make hummus.”
Schweitzer isn’t the only one making adjustments. Several Hyattsville residents shopping for groceries in September told the Life & Times that they are changing their shopping patterns as food prices increase on staples such as meat, eggs, milk, bananas and coffee. Some said they are splitting trips between stores, hunting for sales and adjusting purchases based on affordability.
David Smith, 32, a data scientist who lives in Hyattsville, said he’s noticed prices rise on meats and coffee. “It’s definitely impacted how I’ve purchased things, looking for more sales, shifting a little bit — and what I buy based on what’s on sale,” he said.
Kaylene Riemen, 54, a communications director for KSM, an advisory, tax and audit firm, said she also has been rethinking the way she shops for groceries, especially for meat.
Riemen said she splits up her shopping to better manage her budget — basic goods from Trader Joe’s because they’re more affordable and specialty items from Whole Foods.
Nyabonyi Kazungu, 73, a Hyattsville resident and retired journalist, said the rising prices have changed what she buys. “I buy onions, tomatoes, chicken, beef and sometimes sausage.” But, she said, “all those prices have been going up in a crazy way.”
501(c)(3) non-profit publisher of the Hyattsville Life & Times, the College Park Here & Now, The Laurel Independent, StreetcarSuburbs.News, and The Streetcar Spotlight.
PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
The rising prices could be attributed in part to supply shortages from tariff hikes and droughts, and slow production recoveries from the pandemic, said James MacDonald, a research professor in the University of Maryland Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery store prices have been climbing steadily for several years — at least since 2021. Though the pace of increases has slowed since the pandemic
years, prices remain high and continue to rise.
From August 2024 through August 2025, the national average of the cost of ground beef rose by 12.8%, while chicken increased by 2.8% — largely due to smaller cattle herds and higher feed costs, MacDonald said. Eggs, affected by outbreaks of avian influenza, jumped 10.9% year-over-year, he said. Coffee increased 20.9%, which results, according to MacDonald, from global supply disruptions and the impact of higher import tariffs.
Other items also saw changes. Banana prices rose 6.6%, milk increased 1.7% and bread increased 1.5% on average, compared to the same time last year.
Month-to-month changes from July to August of this year were more subtle. Coffee rose 3.1%, beef increased 2.3%, and bananas 2.1%. Chicken prices rose less than a quarter of a percent.
Some prices leveled off or slightly declined. Bread, milk and eggs saw drops in prices of less than half a percent.
Shifting prices for beef and eggs are tied to supply and policy issues, MacDonald said. He said many of the recent changes are tied to supply shortages and slow recoveries in production from the pandemic and droughts. Beef prices have risen sharply because ranchers reduced their herds during tough times, according to MacDonald.
“Beef prices have risen dramatically and will likely keep rising,” he said. “Ranchers lost a lot of money over 2020 to 2022 and cut back on cow herds, which eventually means fewer cattle. Unlike eggs or chickens, those adjustments take a long time to happen.”
MacDonald added that the southern border closure in July to Mexican cattle imports, resulting from New World screwworm infestations, has cut U.S. supplies further. “That closure reduced beef supplies by 5%. It will take a long time to rebuild herds, so the consequence is sharply rising beef prices for now and the foreseeable future,” he explained.
Eggs remain volatile for different reasons. Avian influenza has cut flocks nationally, pushing prices higher, though short-term declines can happen as production rebounds, MacDonald said.
“Retail egg prices are up 11% in August [2025] over August [2024], but actually declining in August over July,” he noted.
Catering manager Schweitzer said people need to educate themselves to better respond to financial challenges.
“I don’t think that appealing to the government … is the answer,” he said. “I think it’s more about education, and empowering yourself with knowledge.”
Ryan Ross is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
Prices on staples at Giant Food and Aldi stores in Hyattsville on Sept. 26 showed some differences from grocer to grocer. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
City council, residents divided on proposed data-sharing agreement
By FAITH WILSON
At its Sept 15 meeting, the Hyattsville City Council tabled the cross-jurisdictional data-sharing agreement proposal with LexisNexis Accurint Virtual Crime Center (Accurint), pending review by the city’s legal counsel.
The software links billions of public records to agency-provided data, according to city meeting documents. Hyattsville’s access to Accurint would be funded through a Prince George’s County Police Department participation grant.
At the previous council meeting on Aug. 4, councilmembers expressed hesitation about the agreement until more information was known about third-party datasharing with the Accurint software.
Accurint is powered by the LexisNexis Public Safety Data Exchange (PSDEX), used by U.S. law enforcement agencies to help solve crimes, stop threats and anticipate future threats, according to the PSDEX website. The exchange includes crash data, license plate reader data, and offender databases that are provided to agencies through Accurint.
At the Sept. 15 meeting, Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) Chief Jarod Towers shared more information about the
clearance required to access Accurint's data. Since Accurint contains data from the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Towers said that an originating agency identifier (ORI) is given to a participating law enforcement agency for authorization to view the data.
Towers said the agreement with Accurint would allow the city to decide whether it shares data beyond the local and state level.
Accurint has no current third-party partners, but they previously shared data with at least one additional party. Towers reported that the LexisNexis legal team left third-party language in the agreement for future partnerships.
During the Sept. 15 public comment period, residents were divided about the proposed data-sharing agreement, with most speakers expressing reservations about privacy and misuse of gathered data.
Resident Daniel Broder expressed concern about the agreement’s language. “These agreements are filled with loopholes that could potentially allow federal law enforcement to seize citizens’ data,” he said.
Towers noted that most law enforcement agencies using Accurint opt out of
FARMERS
During the public comment period, residents were divided about the proposed data-sharing agreement, with most speakers expressing reservations about privacy and misuse of gathered data.
third-party data sharing, which, he added, HPD would do. He also stated that Hyattsville can withdraw city data from Accurint at any time through a written request.
A resident who identified herself as "Ellen R." said she had concerns about the possibility of Accurint uploading 988 calls [Maryland Suicide & Crisis Lifeline] for mental health checks answered by HPD. “In our current political context, making any concession of our collective privacy and personal data lacks forward
thinking and moral health,” she said. Towers responded that since 988 is a separate health system, its data would not appear in the Accurint system unless law enforcement is contacted in specific cases, such as drug overdoses, welfare checks, credible suicide threats, or threats of violence against others.
Resident Octavia Clapp said she supported the Accurint agreement for crime investigations. “I’m pro-lowering crime, so I’m OK with the collaboration,” she noted.
Councilmembers were similarly divided.
“I know that it’s a scary time, but I believe that by not approving this, we’re handicapping our police department," Councilmember Gopi Dhokai (Ward 3) said. Councilmember Kelson Nisbett (Ward 5) agreed, saying that Accurint could be a critical investigative tool against perpetrators, which outweighs other concerns.
Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5) said the right to some level of privacy is more important than the need for speedier investigations. Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4) said that the HPD cannot prevent local data being accessed by national agencies operating in Prince George’s County, such as the U.S. Park Police or FBI. “While I see the good intent behind this, the timing is not right,” Haba said. “I wouldn’t want to contribute indirectly to enabling some things that I don’t support.”
Councilmember Emily Strab (Ward 2) motioned to table the agreement for legal review of the data-sharing specifications. The motion passed.
1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.
live music
food & drink vendors
artist alley activities & games
October 18, 2025 | 12 - 6PM
College Park Aviation Museum & Airport
helicopter & plane fly-in free museum entry & more!
Free nearby parking, metro access, bicycle racks, and shuttle service.
Joe’s free acupuncture clinic gives healing vibes
By JESSICA ARENDS
Asoft-spoken man with bare feet pads up to my chair and pulls five needles out from his apron. While coaching me to exhale, he gently inserts them into my outer ears — each one sending a little zing through my body.
I take a cue from the others seated next to me in the circle and close my eyes. A strong gravitational pull draws me in and down. My mind reaches to make lists and chase memories. Something balloons in my chest: fear, sadness, grief? It accelerates and accumulates until I let it bubble over and out — my face now wet, brow no longer furrowed.
My awareness has settled into a fresh expansiveness. My ears cool. I notice ambient music has been softly playing. A woman sits peacefully in a golden patch of sunlight on the floor. I mop up my face with my sleeve. All is calm.
Supported by the National Capitol Area Chapter of Acupuncturists Without Borders (AWB), this free acupuncture and bodywork clinic at Joe’s Movement Emporium serves about 10 to 15 people each Tuesday.
According to Hyattsville resident Alaine Duncan, who chairs the board of the AWB chapter, its mission is to “offer acupuncture and integrative medical care to restore vitality and renew the spirit of people suffering from traumatic stress arising from their migration experience, refugee status or exposure to racial or ethnic bigotry. We create peace for one family, one community, one world — one person at a time.”
“Western medicine tends to be specialized,” Duncan said. “You see the gastroenterologist for your gut problems and the neurologist for your chronic migraines. But they’re just looking at fixing symptoms.”
Acupuncture, said Duncan, uses Chinese medicine to support the body in healing itself in a holistic way. Activating pressure points can help our bodies come back into balance after we’ve experienced stress, according to Duncan, who has explored this concept more in her recent book Tao of Trauma Community members can drop in on Tuesday at any time be-
tween noon and 1:30 p.m., when three acupuncturists and one bodywork practitioner are available to provide stress-reduction treatments.
Mount Rainier resident Lynnie Raybuck has attended the
clinic regularly since February. “It has been useful to find the discipline to return to my center, to release tension and allow the world and my own needs to assume a more balanced space,” Raybuck said. “After the treat-
ments, I always feel more relaxed, centered, connected and grateful.”
Raybuck also finds a sense of community when sitting silently in the circle receiving treatment. “That was what brought me back permanently,” she said.
Duncan designed the clinic’s treatment based on what she had learned during her 12 years running clinics for military veterans in the D.C. area, where she developed an auricular acupuncture program for those dealing with trauma.
Out of the 12 standard acupuncture points on the ear, Duncan chose five that she calls “the high five for restoration and balance.”
One of these points, Duncan said, supports the external hippocampus, which communicates sensate experiences of memory.
“There’s the classic story of the vet that hears the helicopter and dives under a car. Or, for me, I smell sugar cookies, and I think of my grandma,” Duncan said. “If we can soothe the external hippocampus, then we can be more present and less influenced by these images and memories.”
Another point helps soothe our fight-or-flight reaction and has become, according to Duncan, especially vital at this time when people are feeling threatened.
“I think that our own inner regulation is really critical to being able to sort out what are the most important things to do as far as cultivating a culture of resistance,” Duncan said.
“I think that's the main job of healers today: to help people cultivate capacity in their ventral vagus nerve and to think strategically and thoughtfully.” She has observed several benefits in her clients, including improved sleep and emotional stability, as well as experiencing less pain and the need for fewer medications.
"Working at Joe's Emporium continues to remind me how valuable community is,” said Sue Berman, who has volunteered with AWB since 2017. “The fulfillment that comes with supporting people who often come in with tension and leave with peaceful, relaxed bodies and minds is a gift that binds me to this wonderful work."
Seating clients in a circle while they’re treated, Duncan said, is to promote kinship that can also help mitigate experiences of threat.
“Acupuncture supports the regulation of the vibration in the room, as well as the vibration in an individual,” said Duncan. “When people are experiencing it together, say in sports, community theater or line dances, these are all things that are vibrational in nature. When we do it with other people, we're cultivating embodied experiences of kinship.”
Jessica Arends is the arts, culture and lifestyle columnist for the Life & Times
Hyattsville resident Alaine Duncan, who is the chair of the National Capitol Area Chapter of Acupuncturists Without Borders, designed the stressreduction treatment provided at the free Tuesday acupuncture and bodywork clinic at Joe’s Movement Emporium. COURTESY OF RYAN RUIZ
DeMatha football aims to defend title
Basketball looks to retake conference championship
By WESLEY SCHNELL
With their 25th varsity football championship last season, DeMatha Catholic High School brought a 13-game win streak into the new 2025 season. Meanwhile, it’s revenge time for DeMatha basketball after falling short last season.
Coming off their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference football division title with a 16–7 win against Good Counsel High School back in November 2024, the Stags come into this season with momentum as their title defense begins.
Some key returners from last year's team include senior wide receiver Lavar Keys, who has committed to play football at Penn State University next school year; senior running back Elijah Lee; four-star junior defensive lineman James Pace; and junior defensive lineman Sean Saint Fleur, who has received offers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and Virginia Tech.
The offense has a new look, as it is being led by first-year junior quarterback Tristan Sabb. Players and coaches are looking forward to seeing the junior’s talents in action on the offensive side of the ball this season. Former DeMatha graduate and head coach Bill McGregor is back for his 36th year. The Stags entered into the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the DMV, according to The Washington Post
McGregor has seen nothing but success as head coach for the Stags. Out of DeMatha’s 25
CONCERTS
All Hallows’ Eve Concert | 9:15 pm, October 31 Music will include JS Bach’s fabulous Toccata in D minor. Candles will be lit. Costumes are welcome!
Choral Evensong| 5:00 pm, November 2 A beautiful, candlelit service of evening prayers. All are welcome to attend.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 4512 College Avenue
St. Andrew’s is a welcoming and inclusive parish of The Episcopal Church. www.saeccp.org
according to Sports Illustrated, as of press time.
The Stags will look to keep their hot streak going as conference matchups are set to start in October with key games against Good Counsel, St. John’s College, Bishop McNamara and Gonzaga high schools.
As for DeMatha basketball, the team finished with a 23–7 record last season and headed into postseason play with an eight-game winning streak.
The Stags picked up their first playoff win against Glenelg Country in a 75–63 victory, but then fell short in the Maryland Private School State Tournament semifinal match against Bullis, losing 69–54.
Catholic League Championships, McGregor has been the coach for 18 of those, guiding his team towards consistent success.
But the Stags said goodbye to 18 graduating seniors at the end of last season, and losing a bunch of seniors can pose challenges for a young team. The Stags couldn’t ask for a better start in their title-defending season as they are off to a 5-0 start. Their dominant play to start the season has earned them the No. 2 ranking in Maryland and No. 11 in the nation,
Mike G. Jones III will look to get the Stags back to the postseason in his fourth season as head coach.
Ashton “Ace” Meeks is back for his senior year, which is great for the Stags. Last season, Meeks led the team with 18.7 points per game, and The Washington Post named him firstteam All-Met.
The Stags will tip off their season on Nov. 19 on the road with a nonconference scrimmage against The Potomac School.
Wesley Schnell is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
weekends: October 30
November 23
associated with Arias-Mendoza.
The HPD said in an email that they could not comment on a federal law enforcement matter. The L&T has formally requested Hyattsville police reports associated with the arrest.
According to City Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4), there has been an increase in ICE activity in this area, especially near Queens Chapel Road and Hamilton Street, over the past few weeks.
Recently, residents have also reported seeing ICE officers at The Home Depot along EastWest Highway and near two local schools.
In an Oct. 1 letter to residents, Hyattsville Mayor Robert Croslin acknowledged the increase in ICE activity, calling it “deeply concerning.” (See the next page for The Hyattsville Reporter insert to read a copy of Croslin’s letter.)
Deni Taveras, Maryland Delegate for District 47B, which includes a portion of Hyattsville, agreed that there has been an increase in ICE activity in recent weeks. “I do believe that we need to keep filming, documenting, capturing what’s going on,” she said in an Oct. 1 interview with the L&T. “People cannot stop.“ She said she was concerned about the training of officers, the profiling of residents, and the lack of due process in residents’ arrest and detention.
Taveras indicated that members of the state legislature are considering legislation forbidding ICE from wearing masks, as well as legislation concerning how local police forces work with ICE.
As of press-time, ICE is holding Arias-Mendoza in a facility in Farmville, Va., according to the ICE detainee locator website.
The DeMatha Stags during their 45-17 win vs. St. Joseph’s Prep on Aug. 30 COURTESY OF THE HIGHLIGHT HAUS
THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
The Hyattsville Reporter
Letter from Mayor Croslin
Residents,
Over the past several weeks we have witnessed a significant increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in our community. This has been deeply concerning to our residents, me, and my fellow Councilmembers.
As a municipality, we are limited in our authority. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. In fact, it is against the law for anyone, including local law enforcement, to intervene while ICE agents are in the commission of their official duties. However, the City hereby reaffirms the values that characterize us and for which we stand. As such, we want to reassure residents that our Hyattsville Police Officers are not immigration agents. The Department does not and will not inquire about, track, or maintain records regarding an individual’s immigration status.
Residents should not hesitate to contact the Hyattsville Police Department to report a crime, a dangerous situation, or an unsafe activity in our community. If a dangerous situation related to ICE activity is reported to or observed by an officer, our officers have a duty to intervene to ensure the safety of bystanders, the agents, and the arrestee. If officers are aware that an arrest is for an immigration violation, they will not participate in the arrest.
As your Mayor, I have been in regular communication with the Maryland Governor’s Office on Immigrant Affairs to know our rights, report our concerns, and stay up to date on resources available for impacted households, families, and community members. Information provided by the state, Prince George’s County, and local non-profits is available at hyattsville.org/assistance.
I, along with your City Council, want all our residents to feel protected and have the information and resources they need to safeguard their rights. Together with City staff, we share a goal of making Hyattsville a safe place for everyone.
Sincerely,
Mayor Robert Croslin
Residentes,
Carta del Alcalde Croslin
En las últimas semanas hemos sido testigos de un aumento significativo de la actividad del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos (ICE) en nuestra comunidad. Esto ha sido una gran preocupación para nuestros residentes, para mí y para mis compañeros concejales.
Como municipio, nuestra autoridad es limitada. La aplicación de las leyes de inmigración es responsabilidad del gobierno federal. De hecho, es ilegal que cualquier persona, incluyendo las fuerzas del orden locales, intervenga mientras los agentes de ICE están cumpliendo con sus deberes oficiales. Sin embargo, la Ciudad reafirma los valores que nos caracterizan y por los cuales nos guiamos. Por ello, queremos asegurar a los residentes que nuestros oficiales del Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville no son agentes de inmigración. El Departamento no investiga, rastrea ni mantiene registros sobre el estatus migratorio de ninguna persona, y no lo hará.
Los residentes no deben dudar en comunicarse con el Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville para reportar un crimen, una situación peligrosa o una actividad insegura en nuestra comunidad. Si se reporta o un oficial observa una situación peligrosa relacionada con la actividad de ICE, nuestros oficiales tienen el deber de intervenir para garantizar la seguridad de los transeúntes, los agentes y la persona arrestada. Si los oficiales tienen conocimiento de que un arresto se debe a una violación de inmigración, no participarán en dicho arresto.
Como su Alcalde, he estado en comunicación regular con la Oficina de Asuntos de Inmigrantes del Gobernador de Maryland para conocer nuestros derechos, expresar nuestras preocupaciones y mantenerme al tanto de los recursos disponibles para los hogares, familias y miembros de la comunidad afectados. La información proporcionada por el estado, el condado de Prince George’s y organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro está disponible en hyattsville.org/assistance.
Yo, junto con el Concejo Municipal, queremos que todos nuestros residentes se sientan protegidos y tengan la información y los recursos que necesitan para defender sus derechos. Junto con el personal de la Ciudad, compartimos el objetivo de hacer de Hyattsville un lugar seguro para todos.
Atentamente, Alcade Robert Croslin
Driskell Park.
Hyattsville came together this past month with the season’s final International-themed Summer Jam in Hyatt Park, the annual Arts & Ales Festival in the Arts District, and Cyclocross in Driskell Park! | Hyattsville se reunió el mes pasado en Hyatt Park para celebrar el Summer Jam de temática internacional, que concluyó la temporada, el festival anual Arts & Ales en el distrito artístico y el Cyclocross en
ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS
TRAFFIC CALMING MEETINGS
Hyattsville community members are invited to four upcoming meetings to meet with the City’s Department of Public Works staff and discuss traffic calming strategies for the following streets (meet at the intersection). More information at hyattsville.org/streets.
Oct 16, 6:30 p.m.: Stanford St. and Wells Blvd. Oct 21, 6:30 p.m.: 41st Pl and Emerson St. Oct 23, 6:30 p.m.: 4000 block Nicholson St. Oct 30, 6:30 p.m.: 42nd and Kennedy St.
CORRIDOR INVESTMENT GRANTS
Hyattsville’s Corridor Investment Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 to businesses, non-profits, and community members for creative placemaking projects, programming, or business development strategies. The CIP Grant deadline is Friday, October 24. Visit hyattsville.org/ CIP to learn more and apply.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEEK & BUSINESS SURVEY
We are excited to celebrate our thriving business community during Maryland Economic Development Week, October 20 – 24! Business and non-profit leaders are invited to network and learn from their peers at a Business Roundtable on October 21 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. We’re also seeking feedback from the business community via our Business Survey, which is open until October 17! Visit hyattsville.org/ business for more info.
WINTER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS ON OCTOBER 27!
Winter Camp will be offered for students in grades K-5 on December 22-23, 26, and 29-31. Registration opens on October 27 on RecDesk! For more information and to register, go to hyattsville.org/camps.
TEEN CENTER
DROP-IN AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Hyattsville area students in grades 6-12 can join regular after school drop-in hours at the Teen Center from Monday to Thursday, 3 – 4:45 p.m., followed by special programs from 5 – 6 p.m. Special programs include “Lights, Camera, Action” for aspiring influencers, Life Stories Theater Program, and In Wellness We Thrive Arts workshops. Learn more and sign up at hyattsville.org/teen-center.
FREE TUTORING! VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED!
Tutoring, provided by Northstar Tutoring, is available to students in grades K-12 and available via virtual or inperson sessions at the Driskell Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton St. Sessions are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Learn more at hyattsville.org/ tutoring. Volunteer tutors are needed to make this program a success! Learn how you can support Hyattsville’s next generation at hyattsville.org/volunteer.
EXPANDED RECYCLING OPTIONS
Hyattsville has expanded its recycling options! You can now bring hard to recycle items like clothing, Styrofoam, batteries, bulbs, and electronics to 4300 Arundel Place, Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. City of Hyattsville residents only; please bring a photo ID with your address. The drop off center can be accessed by entering Arundel Pl and turning right just before you reach the Department of Public Works entry gate. Find details and a list of accepted items at hyattsville.org/recycle.
VIRTUAL PET COSTUME CONTEST
Put your best paw forward! We want to see your furry friends dressed up in their spookiest, silliest Halloween costumes! Submit a photo of your pet at hyattsville.org/halloween by October 26th for a chance to win a prize and be featured on City social media!
REUNIONES SOBRE MEDIDAS DE MODERACIÓN DEL TRÁFICO
Se invita a los miembros de la comunidad de Hyattsville a cuatro reuniones próximas para reunirse con el personal del Departamento de Obras Públicas de la ciudad y discutir estrategias para reducir el tráfico en las siguientes calles (la reunión será en la intersección). Más información en hyattsville.org/streets. 16 de octubre, 6:30 p. m.: Stanford St. y Wells Blvd. 21 de octubre, 6:30 p. m.: 41st Pl y Emerson St. 23 de octubre, 6:30 p. m.: cuadra 4000 de Nicholson St. 30 de octubre, 6:30 p. m.: 42nd y Kennedy St.
SUBVENCIONES PARA LA INVERSIÓN EN CORREDORES
El Programa de Subvenciones para Inversiones en Corredores de Hyattsville ofrece subvenciones de hasta 5000 dólares a empresas, organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro y miembros de la comunidad para proyectos creativos de creación de espacios, programación o estrategias de desarrollo empresarial. La fecha límite para solicitar las subvenciones CIP es el viernes 24 de octubre. Visite hyattsville. org/CIP para obtener más información y presentar su solicitud.
SEMANA DEL DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO Y ENCUESTA EMPRESARIAL ¡Estamos encantados de celebrar nuestra próspera comunidad empresarial durante la Semana del Desarrollo Económico de Maryland, del 20 al 24 de octubre! Invitamos a los líderes empresariales y sin ánimo de lucro a establecer contactos y aprender de sus compañeros en una mesa redonda empresarial que se celebrará el 21 de octubre, de 9:00 a 10:30 a.m., en Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. También queremos conocer la opinión de la comunidad empresarial a través de nuestra encuesta empresarial, que estará abierta hasta el 17 de octubre. Visite hyattsville.org/business para obtener más información.
¡INSCRÍBETE EN EL CAMPAMENTO DE INVIERNO!
El campamento de invierno se ofrecerá a los alumnos de K-5 los días 22-23, 26 y 29-31 de diciembre. ¡Las inscripciones se abren el 27 de octubre en RecDesk! Para obtener más información e inscribirse, visite hyattsville.org/camps.
PROGRAMAS DEL CENTRO PARA ADOLESCENTES
Los estudiantes del área de Hyattsville que cursan entre en los grados 6 a 12 pueden asistir al centro para adolescentes después del horario escolar, de lunes a jueves, de 3 a 4:45 p. m., seguido de programas especiales de 5 a 6 p. m. Los programas especiales incluyen «Luces, cámara, acción» para aspirantes a influencers, el programa Life Stories Theater y los talleres In Wellness We Thrive Arts. Para obtener más información e inscribirse, visite hyattsville. org/teen-center.
¡TUTORÍA GRATUITA! ¡TODAVÍA SE NECESITAN VOLUNTARIOS!
Las clases particulares, impartidas por Northstar Tutoring, están disponibles para estudiantes de K-12 y se ofrecen a través de sesiones virtuales o presenciales en el Driskell Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton St. Las sesiones son los martes, miércoles y jueves de 6:30 a 8 p.m. Para obtener más información, visite hyattsville.org/tutoring. ¡Se necesitan tutores voluntarios para que este programa sea un éxito! Descubra cómo puede apoyar a la próxima generación de Hyattsville en hyattsville.org/volunteer.
OPCIONES DE RECICLAJE AMPLIADAS
¡Hyattsville ha ampliado sus opciones de reciclaje! Ahora puede llevar artículos difíciles de reciclar, como ropa, espuma de poliestireno, pilas, bombillas y aparatos electrónicos, a 4300 Arundel Place, de lunes a jueves, de 8 a.m. a 3 p.m., y los viernes de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. Solo para residentes de la ciudad de Hyattsville; traiga un documento de identidad con fotografía y su dirección. Se puede acceder al centro de recogida entrando en Arundel Pl y girando a la derecha justo antes de llegar a la puerta de entrada del Departamento de Obras Públicas. Encuentre más detalles en hyattsville.org/recycle.
CONCURSO DE DISFRACES DE MASCOTAS VIRTUALES
¡Pon tu mejor pata adelante! ¡Queremos ver a tus peludos amigos vestidos con sus disfraces de Halloween más espeluznantes y divertidos! ¡Envía una foto de tu mascota a hyattsville.org/halloween antes del 26 de octubre para tener la oportunidad de ganar un premio y aparecer en las redes sociales de la ciudad!
CALENDAR | CALENDARIO
WARD 4 INVASIVE VINE REMOVALS
If you live in Ward 4 and would like to have vines removed from your property, visit hyattsville.org/ vine-removal. Volunteers are needed for the following events! - October 9, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm: Door knocking to speak with eligible Ward 4 homeowners and sign them up for this free opportunity! - October 18, 9am – 12pm: Invasive vine removal in Ward 4 and Heurich Park. Signup at hyattsville.org/vine-removal.
NIGHT OWLS
Drop off your little one(s) in grades K-5 at the Driskell Park Rec Center from 6 - 9 PM on October 10! Kids participate in fun activities while you get a night out! hyattsville.org/nightowls.
GREEN FESTIVAL
Join the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment for its annual Green Festival on Saturday, October 11, 2025, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Driskell Park! Full schedule at mypgc.us/ greensummit.
LUNCH
& LEARN WORKSHOP: ALL INCLUSIVE CARE PLAN
Attend a free workshop about the Program for All Inclusive Care (PACE) on October 13 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin St. Registration is required; hyattsville.org/seniors or call 301-985-5000.
CERT MEETING
The next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) organization meeting is on Oct. 15, 6:30 PM, at the City Building. hyattsville.org/CERT.
NARCAN TRAININGS
Free NARCAN community trainings are offered at the City Building on Oct. 16 at 6 PM and Oct. 17 at 10 AM. hyattsville.org/NARCAN.
OLDER ADULT VACCINATION CLINIC
COVID, shingles, tetanus, pneumonia, RSV, and Hepatitis B for adults ages 50 and up will be available from Giant pharmacists on Thursday, October 16 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the City Building. Registration
is required; to register, visit hyattsville.org/seniors.
ZOMBIE RUN
The zombies are coming to Driskell Park on October 18 from 7:30 - 10:30 AM for the annual Zombie Run hosted by the Hyattsville Elementary PTA. To register, support a runner or volunteer, visit hyattsville. org/calendar. Please note that on the morning of the event, no parking is allowed on the race routes. You can find the race map on the event website.
FALL BUSINESS
ROUNDTABLE
Hyattsville business leaders are invited to network & learn about economic development at our next Roundtable on Oct. 21, 9 - 10:30 AM at Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. Register: hyattsville.org/ roundtable.
FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION
Pick up bags of free produce on Tuesday, October 21, at the First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Rd., starting at noon.
TRAFFIC CALMING MEETINGS
Meet with DPW staff and discuss traffic calming for the following streets (meet at the intersection). More information at hyattsville. org/streets.
Oct 16, 6:30 p.m.: Stanford St. and Wells Blvd.
Oct 21, 6:30 p.m.: 41st Pl and Emerson St.
Oct 23, 6:30 p.m.: 4000 block Nicholson St.
Oct 30, 6:30 p.m.: 42nd and Kennedy St.
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
Get rid of unwanted medications, vapes, and more on Oct. 25 from 10 AM - 2 PM at the City Building - no questions asked! Illicit drugs not accepted.
BULK WASTE AND E-RECYCLING DAY
A Bulk Waste Pop-Up & E-Recycling Collection Day will take place on October 25, from 10 AM – 1 PM at 4633 Arundel Place. Find a list of accepted bulk waste items and recyclables at hyattsville.org/waste.
HALLOWEEN IN HYATTSVILLE
Join us on Oct. 25 for a family-friendly Treat-ORama at Driskell Park, 4-6 PM and Trunk-Or-Treat at Northwestern High School, 6-8 PM. Details at hyattsville. org/halloween.
CARE PARTNER
SUPPORT GROUP
Join the City’s care partner support group on Oct. 31, 910:30 AM at the City Building. More info at hyattsville.org/ calendar.
EARLY DISMISSAL CAMP
K–5 students can join Day Camp at Driskell Park on October 31, 10:30AM–5:30PM, after PGCPS early dismissal. Register: hyattsville.org/minicamp.
ELIMINACIÓN DE ENREDADERAS INVASIVAS
Si vive en el distrito 4 y deseas que se retiren enredaderas de tu propiedad, visita hyattsville. org/vineremoval para más info. ¡Estamos buscando voluntarios para apoyar próximos esfuerzos comunitarios en Hyattsville! - 9 de octubre, 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm: Acompáñanos a tocar puertas en el Distrito 4 para hablar con propietarios elegibles e inscribirlos en el servicio gratuito de eliminación de enredaderas. - 18 de octubre, 9am – 12pm: Participa en la eliminación de enredaderas invasoras en el Distrito 4 y el Parque Heurich. Para inscribirse, visite hyattsville.org/ vineremoval.
BÚHOS NOCTURNOS
¡Deje a su(s) pequeño(s) en los grados K-5 en el Driskell Park Rec Center de 6 - 9 PM el 10 de octubre! Los niños participarán en actividades mientras usted disfruta de una noche libre. hyattsville. org/nightowls.
FESTIVAL ECOLÓGICO
¡Únase al Departamento de Medio Ambiente del Condado de Prince George en su Festival Ecológico anual el sábado 11 de octubre de 2025, de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m., en Driskell Park! El programa completo en mypgc.us/greensummit.
TALLER DE ALMUERZO Y APRENDIZAJE
Asista a un taller gratuito sobre el Programa de Atención Integral (PACE) el 13 de octubre, de 11 a.m. a 12:30 p.m., en el edificio municipal, ubicado en 4310 Gallatin St. Es necesario inscribirse; hyattsville.org/seniors o llame a 301-985-5000.
REUNIÓN CERT
La próxima reunión del Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta ante Emergencias (CERT) es el 15 de Oct., a las 6:30 PM, en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/cert.
ENTRENAMIENTO DE NARCAN GRATUITO
Entrenamientos gratuitos NARCAN se ofrecen en el Edificio Municipal el 16 de Oct., a las 6 PM y el 17 de Oct., a las 10 AM. hyattsville. org/NARCAN.
CLÍNICA DE VACUNACIÓN PARA ADULTOS MAYORES
Las vacunas contra la gripe, la COVID, el herpes zóster, el tétanos, la neumonía, el VSR y la hepatitis B para adultos mayores de 50 años o más estarán disponibles a cargo de los farmacéuticos de Giant el jueves 16 de octubre, de 10 a 11:30 a.m., en el edificio municipal. Es necesario inscribirse; para hacerlo, visite hyattsville.org/seniors.
CARRERA DE ZOMBIES
Los zombis llegan a Driskell Park el 18 de octubre de 7:30 - 10:30 AM para la carrera anual Zombie Run organizado por la PTA de la escuela primaria Hyattsville. Para inscribirse, apoyar a un corredor, o voluntario visite hyattsville. org/calendar. Tenga en cuenta que la mañana del evento no está permitido estacionar en las rutas de la carrera. Puede encontrar el mapa de la carrera en el sitio web del evento.
MESA REDONDA DE NEGOCIOS
Líderes de negocios de Hyattsville pueden aprender sobre el desarrollo económico el 21 de Oct., de 9 - 10:30 AM en Art Works Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. Regístrese: hyattsville.org/roundtable.
DISTRIBUCIÓN DE ALIMENTOS GRATIS
Distribución gratuita de productos el 21 de octubre en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, 6201 Belcrest Rd., a partir del mediodía.
MODERACIÓN DEL TRÁFICO
Reúnase con el personal del DPW y discuta la reducción del tráfico en las siguientes calles (el punto de encuentro es la intersección). Más información en hyattsville.org/streets. 16 de octubre, 6:30 p.m.: Calle Stanford y Bulevar Wells. 21 de octubre, 6:30 p.m.: Plaza 41 y Calle Emerson. 23 de octubre, 6:30 p.m.: Cuadra 4000 de la Calle Nicholson
30 de octubre, 6:30 p.m.: Calle 42 y Calle Kennedy.
DÍA DE DEVOLUCIÓN DE MEDICAMENTOS
Deshazte de medicamentos no deseados, vapes y más el 25 de Oct., 10 AM - 2 PM, Edificio Municipal - ¡sin hacer preguntas! No se aceptan drogas ilícitas.
RECOLECCIÓN DE BASURAS GRANDES Y RECICLAJE ELECTRÓNICO
El 25 de octubre, de 10 AM - 1 PM, se realizara una recogida de basuras grandes y reciclaje electrónico en 4633 Arundel Place. Encuentre basuras grandes y productos electrónicos aceptados en hyattsvile.org/waste.
HALLOWEEN
Únete a nosotros el 25 de Oct., para Treat-O-Rama en el Parque Driskell, 4-6 PM y Trunk-Or-Treat en Northwestern High School, 6-8 PM. Detalles en hyattsville. org/halloween.
GRUPO DE APOYO PARA CUIDADORES
Reunirse con otros cuidadores el 31 de octubre, de 9:30 - 10:45 AM en el Edificio Municipal. Inscríbase: hyattsville.org/calendar.
CAMPAMENTO DE SALIDA TEMPRANA
K-5 estudiantes pueden unirse a un Dia de Campamento en Driskell Park el 31 de octubre, 10:30AM-5:30PM, después de la salida temprana de PGCPS. hyattsville.org/minicamp.
HIGHLIGHTS | LO DESTACADO
The City of Hyattsville is hiring! Check out the featured job opening for Deputy Budget Director! Visit www.hyattsville.org/jobs for more positions, to learn more, and apply! | ¡La ciudad de Hyattsville está contratando! Descubre la oportunidad de empleo para el puesto de subdirector de presupuesto! Visite www.hyattsville.org/jobs para ver más puestos, obtener más información y presentar su candidatura.
Prepare for a spooktacular day on October 25! Families are encouraged to dress up and join the Treat-O-Rama for spooky activities, a candy giveaway, and a costume contest in Driskell Park, 3911 Hamilton St. from 4 - 6 p.m.! After that, the fun and candy will continue at the Northwestern High School parking lot, 7000 Adelphi Rd. from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Hyattsville Police Department’s Trunk-Or-Treat! Head to hyattsville.org/ halloween for details…if you dare. | ¡Prepárese para un día espeluznante el 25 de octubre! Animamos a las familias a que se disfracen y se unan al Treat-O-Rama para disfrutar de actividades espeluznantes, un reparto de caramelos y un concurso de disfraces en Driskell Park, 3911 Hamilton St. de 4 - 6 p.m. Después, la diversión y los caramelos continuarán en el estacionamiento de Northwestern High School, 7000 Adelphi Rd., de 6 - 8 p.m., en el Trunk-Or-Treat del Departamento de Policía. Visita hyattsville.org/halloween para más detalles... si te atreves.
Page 4 | October 2025 | The Hyattsville Reporter
REWILDING ROUTE 1
Vulture culture
By RICK BORCHELT
They’re a stock image of the Southwest: vultures perched on saguaros waiting for our thirst-racked hero, crawling through the hot sand, to expire — or circling expectantly over a lost party of pioneers waylaid by bandits on the plains. We associate vultures so indelibly with the Wild West that it sometimes comes as a surprise to see so many of them here in Maryland. Vultures come in two flavors in North America, and both occur here in the East. The larger of the two is the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura); with its bare, bright red head and neck atop a black body, an adult is unmistakable for any other local bird of prey. Larger than any of our local hawks, turkey vultures approach the size and heft of a bald eagle, with long wings designed to catch updrafts of warm air rising from hot asphalt, bare fields and rocky ridgetops. Turkey vultures glide more than they flap, easily tilting their wings from side to side to catch every stray breeze. The tail is relatively long, extending past the feet when the turkey vulture is in the air.
“Cathartes” as a genus name is related to our English word “cathartic,” or “purifying”; “aura” is Latin for “breeze.” A scientific name roughly translating as “purifying breeze” is a good reminder of the critical role vultures play as important scavengers cleaning our environment of carrion. Indeed, scientists believe that vultures worldwide may negate millions of metric tons of greenhouse gases that otherwise would be emitted by decaying animals.
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a much smaller bird, only a little larger than a crow or raven, with a stub of a tail and short black wings. Its distinguishing feature is bright white wingtips that flash on and off when it flaps — an avian Morse code
and long necks allow them to plunge their heads deep into a rotting carcass without getting their feathers slimed. Just don’t call them buzzards — that’s a term specifically reserved for some large European hawks.
of sorts. And it flaps (often laboriously) more than it glides; the shorter wings can’t sustain the long, effortless soaring of turkey vultures. Black vultures’ heads are also featherless, but with the grayish-black skin. The derivation of their scientific name is less poetic: “Coragyps” translates from ancient Greek as “ravenvulture,” “cora-” meaning “raven” and “-gyps” meaning “vulture.” “Clothed in black” is the translation of the Latin “atratus.”
The common name “vulture,” meanwhile, is a direct lift from the Latin “vulturus,” or “tearer,” a reference to both vulture species’ ability to rip into dead animals ranging in size from squirrels to cattle. Those featherless heads
Both turkey and black vultures have powerful stomach acids that digest decaying meat and protect the birds from disease and parasites often found in rotting flesh. When disturbed, adults and chicks can projectile vomit so forcefully it would put Linda Blair to shame. Our vultures typically defecate on their legs in the nest or at a roost; the same powerful acids in their watery poop keep their legs clean from disease microorganisms, while also keeping the birds cool as the liquid evaporates in the hot summer sun.
Unlike most other birds, vultures lack a syrinx, or voicebox: no melodious trilling or raucous screeching from these raptors. At best, you’ll hear them grunt or hiss near the nest or when disputing rights over a promising carcass.
Here's where much of the commonality between these cousins ends. In fact, there’s always a game of one-upmanship going on between our resident vultures.
Turkey vultures have an incredibly well-developed sense of smell, a faculty usually absent in the avian kingdom. They soar lower to the ground than black vultures, skirting the tops of trees and skimming over fields, hop-
ing to catch a whiff of ethyl mercaptan, a gas that the vulture can detect in quantities as little as parts per trillion. Ethyl mercaptan is one of the gases given off by dead bodies; turkey vultures can smell this odor of decay even from shallowly buried corpses or dead animals hidden in heavy
shrubbery or dense forests. Scientists in the 1950s discovered the ethyl mercaptan connection by accident when they noticed turkey vultures gathered around leaky natural gas lines. It turns out that ethyl mercaptan used to be added to natural gas, SEE REWILDING ON 8
A pair of turkey vultures tend their nest in an abandoned barn. COURTESY OF JUDY GALLAGHER
NEWS BRIEFS
Hyattsville’s county school board member wins state-level award
On Oct. 20, county school board member Pamela BoozerStrother (District 3), will receive a statewide award acknowledging her service towards public education.
In a September press release, the nonprofit Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE) announced that BoozerStrother, whose district includes Hyattsville, earned its 2025 Distinguished School Board Service Award. MABE represents and supports all 24 Maryland boards of education. The biennial award is presented to a Maryland resident who has made outstanding contributions to public education through their school board service.
Boozer-Strother is serving her second four-year elected term with the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Board of Education, which serves nearly 133,000 students. According to the MABE press release, her policy accomplishments, alongside school board colleagues, include the PGCPS Climate Change Action Plan, recognized as a national leader in the K–12 sector; the complex Educational Facilities Master Plan Updates; and the Blueprint Schools Public-Private Partner-
ship, or P3, which is responsible for the construction of Hyattsville Middle, Hyattsville Elementary, and 12 other schools across the county.
Award nominators singled out Boozer-Strother’s strong advocacy, leadership and collaboration skills. The press release noted, “Boozer-Strother’s unique understanding of how thoughtful governance drives long-term improvement has made a real difference for students and schools, as has her ongoing work to foster meaningful community engagement.”
“As a school board professional and MABE colleague, Pamela exemplifies dedication, a deeply ingrained commitment to public education, and the innate ability to actively work as a true team player,” said MABE President Karin Bailey, who chairs the St. Mary’s County Board of Education. “These qualities have been especially valued during such challenging times for public education, and continue to act as a real backstop for so many of us connected to MABE.”
The scoop on Franklins new ice cream parlor
Franklins ice cream parlor is scheduled to open on Oct. 7, as this newspaper was going to print.
Over 30 homemade regular and vegan flavors will be sold
REWILDING
as its distinctive smell of cooked cabbage would alert homeowners to any potentially fatal leaks — and attract turkey vultures. Black vultures, by contrast, have almost no sense of smell but have even better eyesight than their red-headed cousins. They soar at great heights and spot dead or dying animals — or notice a turkey vulture miles away, homing in on a carcass otherwise obscured from view. And even though they are smaller, black vultures are the more aggressive of the two, regularly pushing turkey vultures off their odorous finds and claiming the putrefying prize.
as scoops and pints — with milkshakes, floats and sundaes on the menu, as well. When it opens, it will become the only ice cream shop in South Hyattsville.
To offer customers a sneak peek of its wares, on Sept. 24, Franklins started selling graband-go pints of their homemade flavors, for $11.99.
The idea for an ice cream parlor was announced in 2022, as Franklins began expand-
ing its general store. Initially scheduled to open its door in the summer of 2025, the parlor experienced some delays that pushed the opening date back into the fall.
Located at the back of Franklins general store, the parlor will have an entrance at 5115 Baltimore Avenue, as well as one at the back of the store, alongside the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail. Scheduled hours of operation are noon to 9 p.m.
Both vulture species are semimigratory here. They’re found as far north as Canada and as far south as the tip of South America. As recently as the late 20th century, vultures were a rare sight in the DMV in fall and winter, as the weather turned colder. Now, however, many vultures forego migration and remain here throughout the year. Why the change?
Blame it on the deer. Vulture culture today is directly tied to the explosion of the deer population in the Eastern states. In fall and winter, when carrion used to be scarce, the scavengers now find a year-round larder of road-killed deer rotting on local highways, back roads and even suburban streets.
Rick Borchelt is a science and natural history writer, field naturalist, and garden and botany enthusiast. Reach him with questions about this column at rborchelt@gmail.com.
Franklins ice cream parlor offered a sneak peek on Sept. 24. The new store, located at 5115 Baltimore Avenue, in the back of Franklins general store, will be open from noon to 9 p.m. beginning Oct. 7. SAM MARKS
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 Oct. 10 and Nov. 13; all information is current as of Oct. 2. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see The Hyattsville Reporter in the newspaper’s centerfold.
Please send notices of events that will take place between Nov. 14 and Dec. 11 to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife.com by Nov. 6.
RECURRING
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
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Live music every week from roughly 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (Oct. 16: Sense of Wonder and L-M-N-O-People; Oct. 23: Rodeo Motel; Oct. 30: Mike Elosh; Nov. 6: Tammy; Nov. 13: O’McPub Band). For more information, contact rpkfarmmkt@gmail.com.
ONGOING
“Women Artists of the DMV” features work from 400+ artists over 15 galleries. Through Nov. 2. Free. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
October 15
Riversdale House Museum and the Mt. Rainier Nature Center are partnering to bring you a program on the fascinating world of microscopy. Free. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register at pgparksdirect.com. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com
October 16
Learn about African Americans in the War of 1812 on this history boat tour on the Anacostia River. $3 county residents, $4 nonresidents. Noon to 12:45 p.m. Register at pgparksdirect.com. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301.779.0371. BladensburgWP@pgparks.com
October 18
Riggs Corner, with Ian and Jason Riggs, perform at Maryland Meadworks. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 301.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
October 24
Come to a celebration of Maryland Meadwork’s seventh anniversary, featuring Jim Stephanson. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 301.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
October 27
Hyattsville Aging in Place hosts “Thinking About What a ‘Good Death’ Would Be.” In the comfort of a small village gathering, Dixcy Bosley, RN, MSN, FNP will help us ponder our own goals for end-of-life care. Free. 10 a.m. to noon. Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin St. hapcares@ gmail.com. 301.887.3101
October 29
UMD Jazz Jams brings District-based saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed to perform and lead a community-wide jam! Free. House band starts at 7:30 p.m. Jam starts at 8:30 p.m. Busboys and Poets, 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets.com
November 1
Come to a Halloween, Take 2 party with Hi-Fi Groove Society at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 4 to 10 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
November 3
The AARP discusses how to spot the warning signs of online relationship scams. Free. 11 a.m. to noon. Register at pgcmls.info/events. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
November 8
Angel Ram Dance presents “Where I Belong: Honoring Community, Love and Resilience.” Dancers — take part in a community master class led by Angel Ramirez and perform the choreography learned in the workshop during the evening showcase! Community workshop, 6 to 7:30 p.m.; performance, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Purchase $25 tickets at joesmovement.org. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. 301.699.1819
Alaina Tamash performs at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
November 9
Take a guided bicycle tour along the scenic Anacostia River Trail to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in D.C. Includes bike and helmet rental (or bring your own). $10 county residents, $13
Where's Miss Floribunda?
Miss Floribunda is traveling in France. Don't worry! Her column will return in November. For a news story related to her last month's column about aster yellows, see p. 1.
The Hyattsville Horticultural Society will hold its fall plant exchange on Oct. 18, in the backyard garden of Virgina Bennett at 4520 Madison St., Riverdale. Participants should check out the guidelines at hyattsvillehorticulture.org/ seeds in advance. Contact wolfj1000@gmail.com with any questions. Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Life & Times. You may email her at Floribundav@gmail.com.
nonresidents. Register at pgparksdirect.com. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301.779.0371. BladensburgWP@pgparks.com
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
His mediums include watercolors, etching and quilting, but the medium most associated with Buriel is weaving (though he prefers to call it “fiber artistry”).
From his home studio on Longfellow Street (and sometimes from his dining table), Buriel produces items that include scarves, towels and coasters, featuring earth-tone colors, such as umber, ochre, sage and burnt sienna. Sometimes, though, he also incorporates brighter hues like paprika and cerulean blue.
Ceramicist Becky Moy Behre met and befriended Buriel in the 1980s, and eventually invited him to participate in festivals at her Greenbridge Pottery in Howard County. Behre said she had admired Buriel's painting, knitting and quilting, but only later recognized that his passion was weaving.
“He has prolifically produced such a profusion of lovely wellcrafted scarves, tea towels and place mats with rich sumptuous textures and deep colors, and I was amazed to discover one day that he’d never sold his work,” she said. “So I urged him to share it with the world, and we started carrying some of his work in our gallery. He is now a regular participant in our annual Woolyfest and other Greenbridge events, where his wares are greatly admired and well purchased.”
Joe’s weaving (sorry, fiber art-
istry) journey began almost by osmosis in 1985. At the time, he was working with another textile-based medium — quilting — when inspiration hit. “I was making these place mats from leftover drapery scraps used in making quilts,” he said. “And then when I saw the interaction of all these pieces of fabric going back and forth, I decided to learn how to weave.”
His curiosity piqued, Buriel took a weaving class at the now-shuttered Springwater Fiber Workshop in Alexandria, Va. Over the years, he also studied fiber and visual arts at University of Maryland's Art and Learning Center (now known as Studio A), Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo, and Montpelier Arts Center in Laurel.
Naturally, Buriel gravitated toward fiber arts for the creativity, but he is also drawn to the practicality of the items he weaves. “I like doing things that are useful, like scarves,” he said. “They're decorative, but they’re useful. You can wear them. I make these place mats, the kitchen towels and coasters. Everything I do is supposed to be useful.”
The end-product determines the yarn Buriel uses. Towels are (usually) made from cotton, but he likes his scarves to have some drape, so he adds rayon that comes from plant-derived material, typically bamboo. “I can use silk, although if I do then it's more expensive, which means that I have to charge more,” he said. “I also don't use wool because some people are allergic to it, and it can be scratchy.”
Buriel stays clear of trendy designs and instead weaves patterns that speak to him. Ideas may come from almost anywhere and almost anything — nature, other textiles, pottery. “There is a go-to magazine for weavers
[Handwoven], and you can get a lot of ideas there,” he said.
What started as a journey of creativity slowly morphed to include commerce. He eventually started selling his wares at local art festivals and fairs. “I pretty much started selling when people started asking me to be in their shows, like Becky [Moy Behre] and Bine [Sabine Dahn, owner of Bine’s Pottery in Ashton],” Buriel said. “They wanted to have a variety of artisans at their mini-festivals, so they asked if I would be willing to sell. And it works out for me because I can get rid of my stuff and be able to buy [more yarn] to make more stuff.”
For the past five years, Buriel has been a fixture at the Hyattsville Arts Festival (formerly known as “Arts & Ales”), where his scarves and towels sell well. He said this year’s festival, in late September, was his best ever. Still, selling is not the main objective. “I do the weaving for myself,” he said. “Selling is not an important part of the whole process. I do it because it's fun
interacting with people, and it's nice to have people say, ‘Oh, I really like your stuff,’ and ‘This is really beautiful.’”
It may not look like it, but weaving is pretty labor intensive. One does not simply sit down, start weaving and end up with a useful object. “In order to complete a project, you need to have an idea of how much yarn you’re going to need and what patterns are going to be done,” said Buriel. “So, most weavers have a data sheet that you put down what it is you’re going to make, what it is you’re going to use to make it, and then you can calculate how much yarn you will need. And it’s very mathematical. I worked in the lab all my life, so this came pretty natural to me.”
Weavers then have to determine the warp (the stationary yarns that run north to south) and the weft (the horizontal yarns that are passed back and forth from east to west). The warp provides the structure, while the weft creates the width of the fabric. The weaver controls much of this via multiple pedals on the loom, so it’s important for the fiber artist to remember the desired pattern. Buriel says it takes about two days to set up the loom to start a project. It takes a lot of yarn to weave a scarf. Buriel's typical piece, for example, measures 72 inches long and uses about 239 yards of yarn for the warp and 183 yards for the weft. It also takes about a week to complete.
Buriel and his husband, Dave, have lived in Hyattsville for more than 30 years — enough time to see the dramatic changes in population and development. But the one constant is the embrace and support of the maker community. “There are a lot more people moving in,” Buriel said. “But I think Hyattsville has kept its charm, with creative people coming in and carrying on the tradition. It’s nice to see.”
Above: Joe Buriel at the Hyattsville Arts Festival in September. Buriel typically adds bamboo-derived rayon yarn to his scarves (right) for added drape. NIGEL F. MAYNARD
that even her perennial florals, which are meant to flower for upwards of two years, had been rendered infertile.
“I rely on perennials like coneflowers and black-eyed Susans for half of my stock for selling flowers,” Myers said. “That's like, I would say, tens of thousands of dollars worth of perennials over the years of buying them. So replacing them is kind of impossible without incurring huge debt. I was plann[ing] for a whole crop failure in the [seasonal] flowers, … but it was really a shock that this chain of events could have happened.”
As Miss Floribunda mentions in her column, aster yellows infections are tricky to beat. Not limited to a single area or climate, the disease can spread to nearly any plant and has no known cure. The disease is spread when aster leafhoppers, who transmit the disease their entire life once contracting it, feed on bacteria-infected plants. Because the disease cannot be eradicated, Myers had to set about uprooting all the plants she knew were infected.
Julie Wolf, president of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society and a plant, fungal and soil scientist, said that although the infection can be found almost anywhere, she had never seen it hit her hometown until this year.
“My background is with agriculture, and I’ve heard of it hitting canola crops in Canada pretty hard,” Wolf said. “I’ ve heard of it hitting barley. Obviously, it can hit sunflowers and ornamental crops. It is very general. And, honestly, I’ve been in Hyattsville since 2003, and this is the first time I’ve heard about it here.”
Myers began Bloomsday Farm as a way to reduce the cost of
her property through Prince George’s County tax credits and grants from the Soil Conservation Service; as a hobby, she had already been making dried wreaths for neighbors and friends. But when the Trump Administration’s freeze on U.S. Department of Agriculture grants went into effect, Myers decided it was time to start up her business.
Soon after she created a Bloomsday Farm website, customers started pouring in — without any need for marketing or a social media presence.
To Myers, the local popularity came as a complete shock.
“I put it onto Google, and people started coming … without any marketing whatsoever.
My marketing budget is zero, and I’ve had, like, almost more orders than I can handle for one person,” Myers said. “I grew everything, I dug everything, I did everything, 100% myself, no help from anyone. So for one person to do all of that, I was maxed out in selling bouquets.”
The infection struck after nearly a year of successful business for Myers. The florist said she believes aster yellows first got to her garden through an infected plant purchased from a local nursery, but Wolf says the source of such diseases is not always so simple.
“It's hard, because from what I’ve been reading in some years,
you don’t see too many impacts, but there can be plants with that [bacteria] in their tissues that just aren’t exhibiting a lot of symptoms,” Wolf said. “And so as much as you want to maybe blame a nursery … this is a really challenging thing for everyone in the horticultural industry to deal with.”
Despite the setback, Myers is continuing to sell bouquets at a discount to customers (with a warning not to compost them at home for now) and plans to host more events at the farm, such as grant-funded workshops and a bouquet-making party in the style of the Maryland Renaissance Fair. She said the community’s overwhelming support has encouraged her to continue the business.
“People are just pouring their hearts out about how much they love this in a way that I was not expecting at all. For me, the initial reason was a tax credit, you know, and now it's like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is weirdly satisfying,’” Myers said. “People order flowers for relatives in the hospital: I've delivered flowers to someone right after a surgery. … I’m there for the happiest and the saddest moments in people's lives. So I actually want to keep doing it.”
Stella Garner is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Maryland.
On Sunday, Sept. 14, the
91
made by its members over 18 months. The group met every Wednesday, sharing food and stories while quilting together donated squares of fabric into comforters. Visit HyattsvilleLife.com for the
MENNONITE CHURCH QUILT BLESSING
Hyattsville Mennonite Church blessed
quilts
full article. LUKE ROWE
By ASPEN DOYING
WRITING CONTEST WINNERS
The Hyattsville Elementary PTA held a writing contest with a prompt to give the backstory on the two Zombie Run mascots, Zoe and Zed. The Zombie Run is an annual local school fundraiser, which will take place at Driskell Park on Oct. 18.
Aspen Doying, a third grader at Mount Rainier Elementary School, won the grades K-4 division of the Hyattsville Elementary PTA's Zombie Run 2025 writing competition.
Gwendolyn Groenendyk, a fifth grader at Hyattsville Elementary School, won the grades 5–8 division.
By GWENDOLYN GROENENDYK
U p S o m e F u n T h S e r v e U p S o m e F u n T h i s F a l l
