march 2015 hyattsville life & times

HyattsvilleMarch 2015Hyattsville’s Community NewspaperVol. 12 No. 3

Life&Times

POLICE RECRUITSMeet O� cers Mark Filuta and Chris Evans, recent graduates of the Police Academy and the newest members of the Hyattsville City Police Department’s force. PAGE 4

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Included: The March 10, 2015 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section

LOCAL AUTHORSGateway Arts District Authors presented their works at the Hyattsville Busboys and Poets and pay tribute to recently deceased local author David Levy. PAGE 7

CITY BUDGETThe proposed � scal year 2016 budget includes a cost of living increase for employees, seven new sta� positions, and University Hills roadway and West Hyattsville lighting improvements. PAGE 8

by Caroline Selle

� e Hya� sville Police Depart-ment (HCPD) is asking pedes-trians in the neighborhoods around the Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station to remain vigilant while walking and take steps to protect themselves a� er a series of robberies in the area.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, several o� cers handed out � yers to eve-ning metro riders near a pedestrian cut-through at Jamestown Road and Oliver Street. According to po-lice, recent incidents also occurred in the areas near Editors Park Drive and the Mall at Prince Georges. In total, eight incidents took place be-tween 4:50 p.m. and 11 p.m. over a three month period, they said.

“During these robberies,” po-lice said, “citizens have been approached by 1 to as many as approximately 10 suspects. � e suspects have demanded the victim’s property and at times displayed a weapon. At this time it does not appear that all of the incidents are related.”

Several of the victims have been young females, police said, and the suspects were armed in all but two of the robberies.

“� e last few with the female victims seem to be related only

Caution urged a� er robberies near metro

by Rebecca Bennett

At the Feb. 19 Hya� sville City Council meet-ing, the council discussed possible changes to the Queensbury Road access restrictions that are in place. Currently, tra� c is not permi� ed to turn westbound onto Queensbury Road past 43rd Avenue between 6:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Seven Queensbury Road residents, many holding signs that read “no more tra� c,” came out to voice their concerns about the council’s impending discussion on easing the restrictions.

“We would like less tra� c, not more tra� c,” Queensbury Road resident Nina Faye said. “We have talked many times about expand-ing the Do Not Enter to evening rush hour. It has been very common for evening tra� c to be backed up from Queens Chapel [Road] to 42nd Avenue.”

Referencing a 1991 study about tra� c on the street, Richard Anderson said, “In the [morning] 414 cars per hour go down the road. It lessened it to 176 cars a� er the one way sign.”

“It’s impossible to back out of my driveway

now. I object to dropping these restrictions. I support extending these restrictions to the evening hours,” Maggie Henney said. She who has lived on the street for 35 years.

Sophia Biddier echoed that sentiment. “Currently living on Queensbury Road is extremely frustrating. Queensbury Road has taken a lot of downside with new develop-ment … � ere are evenings where I literally cannot back out of my driveway. � ank you to everyone in the City of Hya� sville who

City Council discusses Queensbury Road restrictions

by Mark Goodson

Mike Franklin, the owner of Hya� sville landmark Franklin’s Restau-rant, Brewery and General Store, is opening a new � ne-dining restau-rant in College Park.

� e new Franklin’s Grill and Oyster Bar will feature local seafood and steaks, an in-house bakery, live oyster bar, top-shelf mixed-drink menu, 24 wines by the glass and as many beers on tap. Situated at the base of a $120 million hotel development, the restaurant will be � anked by a Red Door Spa, Bagels ‘n Grinds, and Potomac Pizza: all part of a vision to rejuvenate the University of Maryland’s immediate vicinity.

Franklin will bring the core of his restaurant’s popularity—burgers and beers—to his new location. Beyond these familiar o� erings, the grill and oyster bar will feature an entirely new menu and atmosphere. � e family-friendly environment and a� ordable fare of his Hya� sville location does not allow the restaurant owner to modify the menu much.

“We are what we are. If we did a lot of $30 � sh entrees or $45 steaks here [at the Hya� sville restaurant], they would die a slow death be-cause it’s not how people perceive us,” Franklin said. “� ere, we’ll have a chance to be something di� erent.”

He hopes the proximity of the two restaurants will help the new one thrive. “Our customers here will go there without it being an entirely new market-

place. We get voted the best restaurant in College Park sometimes, which is

College Park will be home to Franklin’s Grill and Oyster Bar

ROBBERIES continued on page 13

QUEENSBURY continued on page 13

FRANKLIN’S continued on page 13

MIRANDA GOODSONThe site of the future “Franklinʼs Grill and Oyster Bar” is located just south of UMDʼs main entrance at Baltimore Avenue and Campus Drive.

Hyattsville Life & Times | March 2015

A community newspaper chronicling the

life and times of Hyattsville

Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

http://HyattsvilleLife.com

http://facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife

http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes

Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community

Newspaper, Inc., a 501c(3) nonpro� t cor-poration. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the

email addresses below.

Managing EditorCaroline Selle

[email protected]

Editor and Web ManagerRebecca Bennett

[email protected]

EditorMark Goodson

ProductionAshley Perks

Digital Archives Manager Susie Currie

Copy EditorSean BennettAdvertising

[email protected]

Writers & Contributors Gretchen Brodtman, Ryan Carbo, Julia Gaspar-Bates, Lauren Kelly,

Andrew Marder, Gray O’Dwyer, Kit Slack,Scarlett Salem, Fred Seitz

Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti - President and

General Counsel Chris Currie - Vice President

Caroline Selle - SecretaryPeggy Dee, Karen J. Riley, Rosanna Landis Weaver,

Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter RossRebecca Bennett - Ex O� cio

Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. Mail to every address

in Hyattsville. Additional copies are dis-tributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the

city. Total circulation is 9,300.HL&T is a member of the

National Newspaper Association.

FromTheEditor

by Mark Goodson

When the Detroit Free Press broke the story of James Robertson, a Detroit factory worker who walked more than 20 miles in his trip to and from work each day, the country responded. A fundraising campaign with a goal of $25,000 raised $350,001 through 13,000 donations in under two weeks.

� e story spread across social media like wild� re, and the na-tion became sympathetic to one

man’s sacri� ce overnight. On a smaller scale in Hya� ville, a gen-erous response to those in need is not breaking news; it is a re� ex.

� e Robertson story reminded me of a year ago, when my wife looked up from her computer while reading the local moms listserv.

“You won’t believe this,” she said. A grandmother—the bread-winner of her household—had lost her job. Her daughter and three grandchildren were le� un-able to pay the electric bill. � e family had been living without electricity for three months, and December’s cold was se� ling in.

When she heard about the fami-ly’s plight, Hya� sville resident Talia Guzman-Gonzalez organized out-reach through the listserv. Soon, the electricity bill was paid. Blan-kets were donated. A meal drop-o� schedule was created. One listserv

member got a job interview for the grandmother. Someone else gave the grandmother a ride to the in-terview to ensure she would be on time. When an update was posted two weeks later, another resident began a Christmas toy drive for the family.

� ere are countless charitable organizations that manage phi-lanthropy, but these listservs have no mission statement or non-pro� t paperwork. Instead, they are made up of people who are a part of a community with identity and purpose.

On Dec. 23, a Hya� sville resi-dent posted online the story of one-week-old twins living out of shelters. By the day’s end, 11 people donated money, and the family was provided with two pack-and-plays and a double stroller. On Feb. 17, Catherine Calvi was stuck at home

with two sick kids in need of Pedia-lyte. Her call for help was answered by neighbors in � ve minutes.

When a � re destroyed the Por-tillos’ Oglethorpe Street home in January, the Hya� sville Elementary Parent Teacher Association stepped in, using social media to ask neigh-bors for donations of clothing, books and school supplies. � e Ma-rolen’s also lost their Co� age City home to a � re in February. Nearby residents coordinated clothing and household donations on local list-servs to help the family.

Caring for your neighbor is a fading community trait. I have friends in Virginia who live in a large system of brand new town-homes. My friend told me that a� er a year of living there he doesn’t know a single neighbor by name. It seems that our glo-balizing world of inter-connect-

ing technologies leaves li� le time for the neighborhood.

Our community is rooted in compassion, something that newer communities struggle to develop. � is helps explain our town’s stick-ing power. When our realtor, who was born and raised in Hya� sville, was showing us our future home on Kennedy Street, two neighbors introduced themselves by name before we stepped foot in the door. Both had lived in their homes for over three decades. Our home was built in 1946; we became the third owners in 2012.

Sometimes it is di� cult to ap-preciate what you have. We live in a strong community. For proof, spare me � e Washingto-nian citing Hya� sville as the best Maryland neighborhood to buy a home in—and just show me who lives here.

Hya� sville: A strong community

LIBRARY USED BOOKSTORE PREPARES FOR RE-LAUNCH� e recently renamed Recycled Reads Book-store reopened on March 2 a� er volunteers spent a month cleaning and reorganizing it. Run by the Friends of the Hya� sville Branch, the bookstore will no longer be dependent on a lockbox and the honor system. � e Re-cycled Reads Bookstore will now only be open when a volunteer is available to sta� it, organizers said.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Missy Pearson at [email protected].

HYATTSVILLE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY GET PAY RAISE IN 2017� e Hya� sville City Council voted to accept the Compensation Review Commi� ee’s rec-ommendation to raise the salary of council-members and the mayor at the Feb. 19 coun-cil meeting a� er the measure was defeated on Feb. 2.

� e council could not alter the recommen-dations of the review commi� ee, but could only accept or reject them, according to city documents. � ose recommendations raise take e� ect in 2017 and by 2020 will raise a councilmember’s salary to $10,597 and the mayor’s salary to $15,834.

HYATTSVILLE ESTABLISHES MINIMUM AGE TO RUN FOR OFFICEAt the Feb. 19 Hya� sville City Council meet-ing, councilmembers voted to establish 18 years old as the minimum age to run for of-� ce. � e city charter had read that any regis-tered voter could run for o� ce, but the mat-ter came up for discussion a� er the council lowered the voting age to 16 years old.

The motion to introduce and adopt sub-

mitted by Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4), which also updated the char-ter to make gender-neutral references to councilmembers and updated references to Maryland code, will take effect in 50 days.

RAILROAD CROSSING WALK-THRU PUTS QUIET ZONE WITHIN REACHOn Feb. 5, city o� cials along with o� cials from the Maryland State Highway Adminis-tration (SHA), the Federal Railroad Admin-istration, CSX, and the Town of Edmonston participated in a no-cost diagnostic walk-thru to evaluate safety conditions at the Decatur Street railroad crossing..

Hya� sville City Administrator Tracey Nicholson told the Hya� sville City Council on March 2 that SHA believes the project is a contender for federal and state funds, which could happen as early as � scal year 2017. � e approximate total cost for up-grades, labor and lights is approximately $300-600,000, according to a city memo. If the project is funded by other entities, Hya� sville may only be responsible for $30-100,000 for a consultant to prepare the quiet zone application and associated � ling fees, according to the city.

CITY BEGINS PILOT COMPOSTING PROGRAM� e City of Hya� sville is launching a pilot composting program, and it’s already at ca-pacity. Participants are spread out through-out the city and will begin separating their food scraps from trash this spring.

“I think it took a day to get 40 people into the program,” said Lesley Riddle, Hya� sville director of public works. She is working with residents to make sure everyone in the pro-

gram understands what can go in the provid-ed counter and curbside bins.

� e department of public works will pick up the compost on scheduled days and drive it down to the county composting facility in Upper Marlboro.

“� is is for folks who may not want to com-post [at home],” Riddle said, though resi-dents are allowed to maintain compost piles on their property.

HOUSE FIRE DISPLACES JEFFERSON STREET FAMILYA � re that started just before 2 p.m. March 5 in the second story of a house in the 3700 block of Je� erson Street has displaced a sev-en adults and one child. According to Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue (PGFD), no injuries were reported. A member of the family said he came out to clear away snow when he noticed the � re had started in the upstairs room.

� e � re may have caused as much as $100,000 in damage. PGFD said the cause is undetermined.

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For 20 years, the Mount Rainier-based Joe’s Movement Empo-rium, an arts-focused nonprofit, has operated with the mantra that there should be no barrier to participate in the multicultural art of dance.

Dance artist Brooke Kidd, who co-founded Joe’s with Ajax Joe Drayton, said the idea for the nonprofit began when she and her fellow American Univer-sity graduates needed a space to perform. Kidd drew inspiration from the open nature of the arts culture in Cameroon, where she had previously spent time.

“Soon after opening, many people came to use our space or do different programs, and we started adding to our collec-tive of artists. Within a couple months, we saw a need for an after-school program, and we started that,” Kidd said. “Every-thing built momentum through the years, and we worked to be responsive to what our commu-nity requested and was interest-ed in having.”

As one of the few arts-focused spaces in the suburbs of D.C., Joe’s became a place where art-ists could perform and show-case their work, and where community members could take part in a variety of pro-grams, especially movement and dance classes.

According to Joe’s director of development, Melissa Rosen-berg, the center also works with local businesses in the area to bring the arts to unexpected places, like a laundromat and beauty shop, turning the Route 1 corridor into what Rosenberg calls the “arts corridor.”

Joe’s has used grant money to create murals, choreograph per-formances, and reimagine public spaces with creative placemaking to beautify the community and stimulate the economy, Rosen-berg said.

In addition to the 20th anniver-sary, Joe’s is celebrating Kidd’s acceptance of the Sue Hess Arts Advocate of the Year Award from the Maryland Citizens for the Arts. The organization honored Kidd for her commitment to civic progress in the arts world, as well as her public support for the arts.

“Joe’s has been a place for access to the creative process,” Kidd said at the 2015 Maryland Arts Day when receiving her award. She explained that many adults in the area felt they lacked access to the arts as children.

“I wanted to change that dia-logue of culture and education and [show] why the arts are such a vital tool.”

Joe’s has also offered subsidized classes and programs for local students with special needs.

“Movement education is a pow-erful tool for personal transfor-mation,” Kidd said. “I have seen so many examples of people get-ting into their body and finding greater balance in their life be-cause they can express through their whole person.”

For Kidd and the rest of the Joe’s team, dance is not only about art and expression, but also holistic health for the mind, body, and spirit. Offer-ings include programs like yoga and capoeira — a Brazilian martial arts that incorporates elements of dance — as well as subsidized healthy snacks and meals for low income children

and teenagers in the nonprofit’s summer and after school pro-grams.

Another goal is to use the arts to encourage economic growth in the area: the nonprofit often in-vites local health food and other

health-focused vendors to get in-volved.

“People also come here and sell healthy foods, and jewelry and sometimes tea,” said Baye Har-rell, Development Associate and American University Fellow with

Joe’s Movement.The center plans to celebrate

this milestone with a gala on March 21 and events through October including performanc-es, live music, and Joe’s own spe-cialty: dancing.

Joe’s Movement Emporium celebrates 20 years

sidney thomasMaryland Citizens for the Arts awards Brooke Kidd with the Sue Hess Arts Advocate of the Year Award.


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by Andrew Marder

Two new o� cers have joined the Hya� sville City Police Depart-ment’s (HCPD) ranks. While both completed the Police Acad-emy at Prince George’s Commu-nity College in December, O� -cers Mark Filuta and Chris Evans followed very di� erent routes to the force.

Filuta was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where his mother is a

teacher. For his � rst three years at Hood College in Frederick, Filu-ta thought he was on the same path. � en, in his senior year, he had a change of heart.

“I couldn’t be tied down in a classroom all day,” he said.

Filuta was already involved in the Maryland Special Olympics, which put him in contact with Hya� sville police o� cers who o� en raise money for the athletic organization. In his � nal year,

Filuta decided that law enforce-ment was his true calling.

He entered Prince George’s County’s Police Academy right a� er he graduated in May 2014.

Unlike Filuta, Chris Evans has been surrounded by law enforce-ment professionals since childhood. His mother was a special agent for the federal government; his father was a police o� cer in Dekalb, Ga.; and his aunt served with the Metro-politan Police Department.

Evans moved to Washington, D.C. from Georgia when he was very young, and began partici-pating in public service at the age of 16.

He was still in high school when he joined the Hya� sville Volun-teer Fire Department, where he continues to work as a lieutenant. He also spent four years as a � re dispatcher with Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue before joining HCPD.

Despite their diverse back-grounds, Filuta and Evans said they bonded at the police acad-emy. Both agreed that the six month program constantly test-ed them “physically, mentally, and emotionally.”

Evans noted the di� erence be-tween working with the � re de-partment and the police depart-ment. Fire� ghters, he said, “show up a� er the police have calmed everything down.” As a police o� cer, he said he sees people at “their actual worst moments,” when disaster strikes.

� e ongoing challenge hasn’t deterred either o� cer. Filuta says that the work “scratches an itch. I never thought I’d have a profes-sion where I could wake up every day and be excited and looking forward to going to work,” Filuta said.

Evans also enjoys the risks and rewards of police work. “I wake up every day,” he said, “ and put the uniform on with a smile.”

Both o� cers, while satis� ed with their positions, remain goal-oriented. Evans, for instance, says that he has always loved dogs and would be excited to work with the department’s K9 unit. Filuta has thought about work-ing toward becoming a detective or joining the department’s hard entry team, whose mission is to apprehend felons and violent criminals.

For now, Filuta and Evans are happy to be learning from their trainers, preparing to walk their own beat. Building relationships in the community, familiarizing themselves with the streets, and learning to make di� cult deci-sions are all parts of the process.

“Being the � rst one on the scene to an extremely serious in-cident,” Filuta said, puts you in a spot where you have to be com-fortable making quick decisions and taking in an overwhelming amount of information.

� e hard work has been well worth it. “I know it’s cliché,” Filu-ta said, “but every day, I will have someone come up to me and say thank you for your service. It’s nice to hear it.”

Meet Hya� sville’s newest police o� cers


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by Kit Slack

In the glimmering Romanesque vault that is St. Jerome Catholic Church at night, Kelly Branaman, the Interim Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdio-cese of Washington, rose quickly to her feet. She had a question for Mary Pat Donoghue, the princi-pal of St. Jerome Academy.

� e K-8 Catholic school sits on the hill above the Hya� sville Municipal Building and next to the church, and in recent years, the academy has

become a model for the new classi-cal education movement among Catholic schools. Enrollment has increased since 2010, from about 265 to nearly 300 students.

Branaman, who had just heard Principal Donoghue’s January 28 presentation to parents and parish-ioners about the school’s � nances and plans for the future, was curi-ous about the growing enrollment.

She asked Donoghue to explain how this could be, when Catholic school enrollment has waned in the Archdiocese of Washington

and elsewhere. It was only a li� le over � ve years ago that Branaman, then Associate Superintendent, had seen the Archdiocese threat-en the parish school with closure.

In her response, Donoghue cred-ited the school’s recent success to parishioners’ support during the school’s crisis � ve years ago, and to their continuing contributions of time, money, and talent. A commit-tee of parishioners passionate about education, including faculty from the Catholic University of America, and homeschooling parents, rapid-

ly developed the classical liberal arts Educational Plan that now guides the school’s curriculum.

� e new curriculum focuses on “two thousand years of Catholic thought, history, culture, and arts,” according to the Education Plan’s vision statement. Students learn Latin. � ey memorize historical facts, de� nitions of parts of speech, bible verses, and hymns. � ey ap-proach science through the lense of nature studies. Each grade has an integrated historical, literary, and arts focus; for instance, � rst graders study Ancient Greece.

For the past two years, the school has also o� ered a Montessori pro-gram for toddlers through kinder-garteners, which according to its teachers, helps students develop a� entiveness and language and math skills that ready them for the classical approach.

� e school’s new classical cur-riculum a� racted teachers “dedi-cated to this model of education,” said Donoghue. Despite salary freezes brought on by the school’s � nancial di� culties, the school “never had to advertise” for teach-ers. Donoghue also said teacher turnover has been very low since the curriculum transition was ac-complished.

Along with enrollment, tuition at St. Jerome’s has increased over the past � ve years by about 10 percent, and an additional 5 percent increase is planned for next year, Donoghue said. � ough St. Jerome Academy has historically given large tuition discounts to siblings, the school is moving towards making such sib-ling discounts need-based, starting in 2016. According to Donoghue, the decision was made partly be-

cause the school’s population now includes more large Catholic fami-lies and more a� uent families. Av-erage family income for students is now $117,000, and the number of students from families on public as-sistance has dropped to around 15 percent.

Recent increases in enroll-ment and tuition have not been enough to cover new expenses incurred during the school’s tran-sition. Administrators are hope-ful that the tuition increases and an improved fundraising strategy will close the gap between rev-enues and expenses.

Still, St. Jerome’s is planning major renovations, interior and exterior, for the school next year. � e school is working with the county’s stormwater manage-ment program to replace con-crete and asphalt playgrounds with landscaping, which would reduce � ooding and runo� prob-lems. St. Jerome’s also plans to renovate classrooms, funded in part through a new renovation fee to families, and through a grant from the Raskob Foun-dation that they hope will be awarded this spring.

A 1983 graduate of St. Jerome Academy, which has been a neighborhood institution since 1943, Donoghue said she is “ded-icated to o� ering an excellent ed-ucational option” for residents of Hya� sville, her hometown.

Kit Slack is a Hya� sville resident and mother of three small children, plus one more on the way. She is home with her kids, and has had two prior careers, as an a� orney and as an orga-nizer. Her two eldest are preschoolers in St. Jerome Academy’s Montessori program.

Saint Jerome Academy enrollment grows

MICHELLE WIDMER-SCHULZThird grade core curriculum teacher, Sarah Miranda, takes questions from her students.


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by Ryan Carbo

� e crowd at Hya� sville’s Busboys and Poets was quietly enthralled on Feb. 24 as members of the Gateway Arts District Au-thors, an informal coalition of local writ-ers, made their way onto the stage to read passages from their latest works and share insights into the creative writing process.

Among the novels highlighted that eve-ning were Richard Morris’ Canoedling in Cleveland, Patricia Weil’s Circle Earth, and Eve O� enberg Stone’s Sojourn at Duskand Realm of Shadow, Dr. Carolivia Her-ron’s Asenath and the Origin of Nappy Hair, and Samuel Williams Jr.’s Anomalous, the

� rst novel to introduce the iconic Sher-lock Holmes to an African-American pro-tagonist. � e recently deceased David L. Levy’s Viktor IV, was also featured in the event. Morris, Weil, Stone, and Levy all are or were from Hya� sville, while Williams Jr. and Dr. Herron are from Riverdale and Washington, D.C. respectively.

� e artists kicked o� the night with a se-lection of readings from various emerging local authors, introduced and presented by the Mount Rainer-based author of Rainwood House Sings, Juliana Barnet. Her self-described “social justice mystery” novel was co-authored and illustrated by her daughter, Sophie Barnet-Higgins.

“� ere’s a lot of fascinating history [in the Washington, D.C. area], especially history of struggle for justice and to li� up the community, and especially people who are seeking justice,” said Barnet. “So that’s what I would like to encourage these students to think about.”

Barnet was not the only speaker to com-ment on the impact literature can have on youth. With Anomalous, Williams said he wanted to teach young people about black history. African-American writers, he said, have not previously been represented well in the Sherlock Holmes and mystery novel subculture.

Williams said he hopes black youth will

Busboys hosts local authors

be inspired by his precedent to explore writing “not just in the genre of writing romance and the typical things, but to go out and venture into the things like Sher-lockian lore or Sci-Fi, just going into areas that blacks ordinarily don’t go into.”

Dr. Herron, a close friend and colleague of David Levy, read sections of Levy’s novel and shared personal stories in Levy’s memory.

“David would take the two people that are least likely ever to speak to each other and bring them together at the same ta-ble, without even knowing it,” Dr. Herron said. “Pre� y soon people would be talk-ing to each other who would have never talked to each other before … even his son, at his funeral, mentioned how [Da-vid] always went a li� le bit over the edge in friendliness and exuberance and all that, but that over-the-edge-ness brought people together.”

� e Feb. 24 event was not the � rst time that Gateway Arts District Authors held an event at the Hya� sville Busboys and Poets.

“We have had an ongoing relationship with Busboys and Poets. In 2011 when the Hya� sville [location] opened, a week [later] they invited local authors from Hya� sville to share their readings,” said Gateway Arts District Authors spokesperson Barbara Morris. “At that time, there was Richard [Morris] and I believe four other authors who read at [Busboys] … It’s been a while, but we have maintained a relationship with them and they are very encouraging of local authors.”

RYAN CARBOA panel of local authors, the Gateway Arts District Authors, entertained the crowd, sharing insights and excerpts at Busboys and Poets on Feb. 24.

Hyattsville ReportertheNo. 306 • March 10, 2015 www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Page HR1 Hyattsville Life & Times | March 2015 Hyattsville Life & Times | March 2015 Page HR2

Candidate Registration for the City ElectionsOpen until March 27, Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street or www.hyattsville.org/electionsMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Voter Registration for the City ElectionsOpen until April 10, More information: 301-341-7300, www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration

Applications for Vote by Mail (Absentee) for the City ElectionsAvailable until May 4, Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street or www.hyattsville.org/electionsMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Creative Minds Parent & Child ProgramEvery Tuesday and Thursday through April 2, 10 AM - 12 PM, Magruder Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton StreetMore information: Tony Martinez, 240-299-8395, [email protected]

Ageless Grace Exercise Classes Every Wednesday and Friday through February 27, 10 - 11 AM, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Colleen Aistis, 301.985.5057, [email protected]

City Council Work Session on City Budget Wednesday, March 11, 8 PM, Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville City Council MeetingMonday, March 16, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street

More information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Board of Supervisors of Elections MeetingTuesday, March 17, 4 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville Planning CommitteeTuesday, March 17, 7:30 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Jim Chandler, 301-985-5013, [email protected]

Hyattsville Code Compliance Advisory CommitteeWednesday, March 18, 7 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, [email protected]

City Council Work Session on City BudgetWednesday, March 25, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville Education Advisory CommitteeThursday, March 26, 6:30 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Jake Rollow, 301-985-5031, [email protected]

The Great Magruder Park Egg Hunt & Pancake BreakfastSaturday, March 28, 9 AMMagruder Park, 3911 Hamilton Street

More information: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, [email protected]

Board of Supervisors of Elections MeetingTuesday, March 31, 4 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Ethics Commission MeetingTuesday, March 31, 7:30 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

City Council Public Hearing on City Budget Wednesday, April 1, 7 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville City Council Special MeetingWednesday, April 1, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville City Council MeetingMonday, April 6, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Environmental Committee MeetingWednesday, April 8, 7:30 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Jim Groves, [email protected]

Hyattsville Police and Firefighters RecognizedPolice officers and firefighters of the year were announced last month at the annual banquet of the Hyattsville City Police Department and the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department. The top honors went to:Hyattsville Police

Civilian Employee of the Year - Public Safety Aide Anthony FrancoLeadership Award - Pfc. Tulio QuevedoCommunity Police Officer of the Year - Pfc. Calvin RichardsonPolice Officer of the Year - Sgt. Mike RudinskiHyattsville FireMember of the Year - Joshua WortmanEMS of the Year - Megan HadleyFirefighter of the Year - Timothy Keiling Most Improved - Patrick WilliamsFirefighter Rookie - Jonathan StropeEMS Rookie - Aaron Mundt

City ElectionsOn May 5, 2015, Hyattsville will hold elec-tions for Mayor and five City Council seats.

Vote-by-Mail applications are now available on the City website. If you are interested in running for office, candidate registration can now be found on the City website. The City is also plannig to hire election judges who will earn $50-$175 per day. For more infor-mation, please visit www.hyattsville.org/elec-tions or contact City Clerk Laura Reams at 301-985-5009 or [email protected].

Egg Hunt and Pancake BreakfastThe Great Magruder Park Egg Hunt & Pan-cake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 28 at Magruder Park, 3911 Ham-ilton Street. We expect a visit from a Very Important Bunny! Breakfast will be served from 9 to 11 a.m. Breakfast costs $5.00 per person over the age of 2. Kids 2 & under eat for free! Reservations are encouraged. Pay-ment may be made at the door (cash or check only please). Special Musical guest Uncle Pete performs at 10:30. Egg Hunts begin promptly at 11:30, divided into 3 age catego-ries. BYOB (Bring your own basket)! En-

tertainment and Egg Hunts are FREE. For information or to make a reservation, please visit our website at http://www.hyattsville.org/egghunt or contact the Department of Community Services by phone at 301-985-5021.

Camp Magruder 2015Registration for the world-famous Summer Camp Magruder is now open. The camp lasts five sessions from June 22nd until Au-gust 21st. Children ages 5-10 will enjoy crafts, sports, field trips and games. Registration and information is available at www.hyatts-ville.org/camp-magruder or by contacting Tony Martinez at [email protected] or 240-299-8395.

Nutritional TourJoin us for a free nutritional tour of the Price

Rite grocery store at the Shops at Queens Chil-lum on March 26 at 9:30 a.m. The program is designed by Cooking Matters (cookingmat-ters.org) and led by a volunteer nutritional expert from the University of Maryland. Par-

ticipants learn to read labels, compare unit pricing, find whole grain foods and add more fresh produce into inexpensive meals. The tour will last about an hour and afterwards participants will have the opportunity to shop with the nutritional expert. Participants will also receive a reusable shopping bag and a $10 Price Rite gift card. All participants will be picked up from and dropped off at their homes by the City’s Call-A-Bus.Space is limited to 15, and reservations must

be made in advance by calling 301-985-5020.

Instagram Photo ContestEnjoy taking selfies? Do you love your city?

Then submit your best photo capturing what “I Am Hyattsville” represents to you. To sub-mit your photo, hashtag I Am Hyattsville (#IAmHyattsville) in Instagram and mention @cityofhyattsville. The winning photo will be printed in a future edition of the Hyattsville Reporter. And we’ll put some of our favorites on the City website and cable channel.

Inscripción de Candidatos para las Elecciones de la CiudadAbierto hasta el 27 de Marzo, Edificio Municipal de Hy-attsville, 4310 Gallatin o www.hyattsville.org/electionsMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Inscripción de Votante para las Elecciones de la CiudadAbierto hasta el 10 de AbrilMás información: 301-341-7300, www.elections.state.md.us/voter_registration

Solicitudes para Votación-por-Correo (en Ausencia) para las Elecciones de la CiudadDisponible hasta 4 de Mayo, Edificio Municipal de Hy-attsville, 4310 Gallatin o www.hyattsville.org/electionsMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Mentes Creativas Programa de Padres e Hijos Cada Martes y Jueves, hasta el 2 de Abril, 10 AM - 12 PM, 3911 Hamilton Street., El Centro Recreativo de MagruderMás información: Tony Martinez, 240-299-8395 o [email protected]

Gracia sin Edad Clases de EjercicioCada Miércoles y Viernes hasta el 27 de Febrero10 - 11 AM, 4310 Gallatin StreetMás información: Tony Martinez, 240-299-8395 o [email protected]

Reunión de Trabajo del Consejo Municipal sobre el Presupuesto de la CiudadMiércoles, 11 de Marzo, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunion del Consejo Municipal de HyattsvilleLunes, 16 de Marzo, 8 PM, Edificio Municipal de Hy-attsville, 4310 Gallatin. Más información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión de la Mesa de los Supervisores de EleccionesMartes, 17 de Marzo, 4 PM, Edificio Municipal de Hy-attsville, 4310 Gallatin. Más información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Comité de Planeación de HyattsvilleMartes, 17 de Marzo, 7:30 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Jim Chandler, 301-985-5013, [email protected]

Comité de Cumplimiento de Codigos de HyattsvilleMiércoles, 18 de Marzo, 7 PM, Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin. Más información: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, [email protected]

Reunión de Trabajo del Consejo Municipal sobre el Presupuesto de la CiudadMiércoles, 25 de Marzo, 8 PM. Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin. Más información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Comité de Educación de HyattsvilleJueves, 26 de Marzo, 6:30 PM. Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin.Más información: Jake Rol-low, 301-985-5031, [email protected]

El Gran Busqueda de Huevos de Pascual y Desayuno de PanquequesSabado, 28 de Marzo, 9 AM. Parque Magruder, 3911 Hamilton Street. Más información: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, [email protected]

Reunión de la Mesa de los Supervisores de EleccionesMartes, 31 de Marzo, 4 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión del Comisión de EticaMartes, 31 de Marzo, 7:30 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Audiencia Publica con el Consejo Municipal sobre el Presupuesto de la CiudadMiércoles, 1 de Abril, 7 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunion Especial del Consejo Municipal de HyattsvilleMiércoles, 1 de Abril, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunion del Consejo Municipal de HyattsvilleLunes, 6 de Abril, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión del Comité de MedioambienteMiércoles, 8 de Abril, 7:30 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Jim Groves, [email protected]

CALENDARCALENDARIO

Reportero de HyattsvilleelNo. 306 • 10 de marzo, 2015 www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Policía y Bomberos de Hyattsville AdjudicadoLos Policías y Bomberos del año fueron nom-brado el mes pasado en la celebración anual del Departamento de Policía de la Ciudad de Hyattsville y el Departamento de Los Bomb-eros Voluntarios de Hyattsville. Los premios altos fueron a:Policía de HyattsvilleEmpleado Civil del Año - Agente de Seguri-dad Publica Anthony FrancoPremio de Liderazgo - Pfc. Tulio QuevedoPolicía de la Comunidad del Año - Pfc. Calvin RichardsonPolicía del Año - Sgt. Mike RudinskiBomberos de HyattsvilleMiembro del Año - Joshua WortmanEMS del Año - Megan HadleyBombero del Año - Timothy Keiling Más Mejorado - Patrick WilliamsBombero del Primer Año - Jonathan StropeEMS del Primer Año - Aaron Mundt

Elecciones de la CiudadEl 5 de mayo, 2015, Hyattsville tendrá elecciones

para Alcalde y cinco puestos en el Consejo Mu-nicipal. Solicitudes de Votación-por-Correo ya están disponible en el sitio de web de la Ciudad. Si usted tiene interés en hacer una campaña, información de inscripción de candidatos esta disponible en el sitio de web se la Ciudad. La Ciudad también planea en contratar jueces de las elecciones quien ganarán $50-$175 cada dia. Para más información, por favor visite www.hy-attsville.org/elections o contacte a la Secretaria de la Ciudad Laura Reams a 301-985-5009 o [email protected].

Busqueda de Huevos y Desayuno de PanquequesEl Gran Busqueda de Huevos del Parque Magruder y Desayuno de Panqueques serán el sabado, 28 de marzo, en el Parque Magruder, 3911 Hamilton Street. Esperamos una visita de un conejo muy importante! Desayuno será de 9 a 11 a.m. El desayuno cuesta $5.00 cada persona con mas de dos años. Los de dos y menos años comen gratuita. Se recomienda hacer reserva-ciones. Se puede pagar en la puerta (solo efec-tivo o cheque, por favor). Musica de Uncle Pete

a las 10:30 a.m. Buequedas de huevos empiezan a las 11:30, en tres categorias por edad. Traiga su propia cesta. Entretenamiento y busquedas de huevos son gratuitas. Para más información o hacer una reservación, visite www.hyattsville.org/egghunt o contacte el Departamento de Servicios Comunitarios en 301-985-5021.

Campamento de Verano 2015Registro para el famoso Campamento Magrud-er de verano esta abierto. El campamento dura cinco sesiones desde el 22 de junio hasta el 21 de augusto. Niños de edades 5-10 disfrutarán artes, deportes, viajes y juegos. Registro y infor-mación es disponible en www.hyattsville.org/camp-magruder o con Tony Martinez a 240-299-8395 o [email protected]

Gira de NutriciónAcompáñenos para una gira nutricional gratuita del Price Rite tienda de alimentación en los Shops at Queens Chillum el 26 de marzo a las 9:30 a.m. El programa es diseñado por Cooking Matters (cookingmatters.org) y liderado por un experto

en nutrición voluntario de la Universidad de Maryland. Participantes aprenden a leer etiqu-etas, comparan precios de unidades, encuentran alimentos de grano entero y usan mas verduras frescas en comidas baratas. La gira dura una hora y después participantes tendrán la oportunidad a comprar con el experto nutricional. Participantes también recibirán una bolsa reutilizable y una tarjeta de credito de $10 en Price Rite. Todas las participantes serán recogido y dejado en sus ca-sas por el Llama-Un-Bus de la Ciudad. Espacio es limitado a 15, y requieremos reservaciones en avance por llamar 301-985-5020.

Concurso de Fotografía de Instagram¿Disfruta tomando selfies? ¿Ama su ciudad? Entonces presente su mejor imagen repre-sentando lo que «Yo Soy Hyattsville» significa para usted. Para entrar su foto, hashtag Yo Soy Hyattsville (#YoSoyHyattsville) en Instagram y menciona @CityofHyattsville. La mejor foto será imprimida en una edición del Reportero de Hyattsville del futuro. Y pondremos nuestras favoritas en el sitio de web y canal de la Ciudad.


by Caroline Selle

The proposed fiscal year 2016 budget for the City of Hyattsville includes seven new staff posi-tions, a 1.7 percent cost of liv-ing increase for city employees, and infrastructure and facilities investments like citywide road and sidewalk repair, University Hills roadway improvements, and West Hyattsville lighting im-provements.

According to documents City Administrator Tracey Nicholson presented to the council, infra-structure and facilities reinvest-ments for fiscal 2016 include the design and build of the new Department of Public Works (DPW) facility, administrative building repairs, and park im-provements. Other items include teen programs, equipment and vehicle replacement, expansion of Call-A-Bus services, and the addi-tion of an urban forestry program.

At $25.3 million, the total bud-get represents an increase from last year.

“The majority of the General

Fund increases can be attributed to pay and benefits, increased staffing to support new or expand-ing City services and programs, contract services, and informa-tion technology improvements,” Nicholson explained.

Three of the seven proposed staff positions are full time and four part time. The city is bud-geting for a DPW project coor-dinator, a community planner, a parking aide, a part time assistant to the city clerk a part time bus driver to support expanding se-nior services, and 1.5 police of-ficers (one to begin duties at the beginning of the fiscal year and the second in January 2016).

The city also proposes purchas-ing iPads for council members in order to enable electronic voting and to make voting records more immediately accessible.

“... In this case iPads are less ex-pensive than purchasing all new laptops for each councilmem-ber,” City Clerk Laura Reams said at the Feb. 25 city council meeting. “... I hope this will help us get an increased level of trans-

parency for the public.”The budget drafting process has

not been without complications.When City Treasurer Ron

Brooks was preparing the fiscal 2016 draft budget for city council, he based his recommendations on the real property tax revenue esti-mate provided by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (MDAT). The draft bud-get went to the council on Feb. 11, but at the Feb. 25 council work ses-sion, Brooks told the council that an oversight on the part of MDAT meant that the projected property tax revenues for the city fell short of the draft budget’s current es-timates and that revisions would need to be made.

“And so, unfortunately, it’s not good news,” Brooks told the council. The revision from MDAT means the city needs “to try and find an additional $140,000 in cuts based on this reduced estimate.” He said staff will work to have it done before the end of the budget hearings.

The budget is already balanced with approximately $800,000

from the city’s reserve fund, which comes from money col-lected during budget surpluses in previous years. If that amount is approved by council for use in fiscal 2016, the city will have ap-

proximately $6.3 million left in reserve.

Still, Brooks said, the city pro-poses maintaining the current property tax rate of 0.63 percent.

“The city is committed to look-ing for additional efficiencies,” said Nicholson. “We recognize our responsibility.”

“I have a fiduciary responsibility that I take very seriously,” Brooks said. Although he can provide recommendations to council, fi-nal budget decisions rest in their hands.

The council is still in the begin-ning of the budget process: the draft budget was only introduced to council on Feb. 11.

At that time, Brooks said, “...this is a document that will continue

to transition … and I hope that it’s better as each year goes out.”

The council will hold work ses-sions and hearings on the budget with presentations by different city departments through March 25. The council will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on April 1 and the proposed tax rate on April 15.

The adoption of the finalized budget ordinance is expected to be on May 13, before the newly elected officials are sworn in on May 18.

City proposes new staff positions, reinvestment in infrastructure in 2016 draft budget

“I hope this will help us get an increased level of transparency for the public.”

— Laura ReamsCity Clerk

The Hyattsville Life & Times presents

The 2015 Hyattsville City Election ForumApril 22 at 7:30 p.m.

We need your questions for the candidates by April 15!

email: [email protected]

Join us in person:Hyattsville Municipal BuildingThird floor council chambers

Watch live at home:Cable: Comcast 71 or Verizon 12Online: hyattsvillecitymd.iqm2.com

Hyattsville Life & Times | March 2015 Page 9

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March 15Join the Hyattsville Profession-al Networking for “Tips for Doing your Taxes,” presented by Kathy Size, CPA. Municipal Building, 2nd floor, 4310 Gall-atin St. 7-9pm. Free. For more information, please contact [email protected].

March 18The Maryland State Highway Administration is holding a pub-lic information meeting on the Queens Chapel Road (MD 500) Community Safety En-hancement Project. A presenta-tion will be followed by a work-shop where interested people can view displays at their own pace, speak with project representa-tives, provide feedback on the proposed concepts, and specify any safety and/or mobility con-cerns they have within the proj-ect area. Free. 6 to 8 p.m. Mount Rainier Elementary School, 4011 32nd Street, Mount Rainier.

March 20Following their off-Broadway run in New York and based on the award-winning book series, everyone’s favorite bear family arrives at the Playhouse in Be-renstain Bears LIVE! to sing and dance through a life full of complications. Recommend-ed for grades Pre-K through 2. Tickets $8, $6/groups of

20 or more. 10:15 a.m. and noon. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly. 301.277.1710.

Art Works Now hosts Par-ents’ Night Out. Enjoy some time out while your kids enjoy some time in at Art Works. Children will build mini coral reefs, enjoy a pizza dinner, and watch Finding Nemo. 5 to 9 p.m., $20 per child, ages 3 through 12. Advance regis-tration required. For more de-tails, please contact Art Works directly at 301.454.0808 or by

e-mailing Juliana Molina at [email protected].

March 21Studio SoHy kicks off its first art show, Urban Canopy, with a grand opening party featur-ing exhibits from Hyattsville artists Chris Suspect, Kathleen Geldard, Bronwyn King, and Christine Monaco, and two sets of music by the Wild Ana-costias Brass Band. The show, which will run through June 20, focuses on the interplay of nature and the urban environ-ment. 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Open session is free and open to the public. $10 after 8 p.m. Vigilante Coffee, 4327 Gallatin Street.

March 23The Hyattsville Library Inde-pendent Film Series presents “Muscle Shoals” (2014) -111 min, a film about the Alabama-based music studio. The library’s Filmmaker-in-Residence, Chris Lynn, will facilitate the post-screening discussion. In addi-tion to making films, Lynn is a sound artist, educator, curator, and member of Hyattsville’s Creative Edge Studio Collabor-ative. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hyattsville Branch. 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Hyattsville Branch Library. 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.

March 28Did you miss the annual seed sale? The Hyattsville Horti-cultural Society will be selling seeds at Community Forklift’s Annual Garden Party and Spring Sale. The event features live music, workshops, demon-strations, tool sales and a “lem-onade lunch.” Free. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston. 301.985.5180.

Come test your skills at the Chess and Checkers Club at the Hyattsville Branch Library. Learn to play or improve your game. All ages are welcome! Bring your own set or play with one provided. 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.

March 30Support the Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs with shop-ping at Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store. Give a copy of your receipt to the hostess, tell them you are supporting CASA and 20% will be donated back. All day. 5123 Baltimore Avenue. 301.927.2740.

OngoingRiverdale Park Farmers Market hosts Sunday Morning Coffee Markets at the “Coffee Shop,” located at 6204 Rhode Island Ave in the empty corner build-ing where the Farmers Market is usually held. Enjoy coffee, tea & hot chocolate by Zeke’s Cof-fee; local apples, hot cider & other drinks by Riverdale Park Farmers Market; Stone Hearth Bakery bread & pastries; hot food by Ruben’s Crepes & Mexican food, and more. Kids’ activities available. Local music starts at 10 a.m. All ages, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 15 and 22.

Rise + Rhyme kicks off the week for the 5-and-under set with storytelling, performances and more. Suggested donation, $5. Monday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Zinn Room, Busboys and Poets, 5331 Bal-timore Avenue. 301.779.2787.

Vigilante Coffee hosts Cof-fee Cupping every Thursday this month! The series gives participants the opportunity to learn how to cup coffee and to taste the roastery’s latest of-ferings. March 12, 19 and 26, 1 to 2 p.m. Free. Vigilante Roast-ery, 4327 Gallatin Street

Want to learn more? Take Vigilante’s Brewing 101 class for hands-on training in three different brewing methods (french press, pour over, and aeropress). Participants re-ceive a sample bag of beans and a discount on in-store coffee merchandise purchas-es. $25. March 15 and 29, 4 to 6 p.m. at 4327 Gallatin Street

Open Mic at Busboys and Poets, various hosts. Hear live spoken word poetry in the Zinn Room. Thursdays, 9 to 11 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Avenue. 301.779.2787.

Through March, naturalists will lead a guided hike around Lake Artemesia and the Lu-ther Goldman Birding Trail on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Lake Artemesia, 8200 55th Avenue, Berwyn Heights. Free. 3 to 4:30 p.m. 301.627.7755.

The Hyattsville library offers a variety of storytimes. Space is limited; free tickets avail-able at the children’s desk. Ages 9-23 months: Mondays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Ages 3-5: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Ages 2-3 Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. English-Spanish Story-time for ages 3-6: Saturdays, 11 a.m. 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.

Community Calendar is a se-lect listing of events happening in and around Hyattsville from the 15th of the issue month to the 15th of the following month. To submit an item for consideration, please e-mail [email protected]. Deadline for April submissions is March 25.

caroline selleChris Ousley performs at the Riverdale Farmer’s Market.


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by Lauren Flynn Kelly

My addiction to other people’s old stu� has been well documented, but my husband has his own ad-diction: records. He o� en disap-pears into the basement for hours at a time to spin jazz records. Some-times he even takes our youngest on his “crate digging” excursions. And if the crowds at the annual D.C. Record Fair in January serve as any indication, his love of vinyl (old and new) is shared by many. So for this month, I thought I’d share some of our top picks for places in the area that buy and sell used vinyl.

While Hya� sville may not have its own record store, a city resi-dent owns one in Washington, D.C. Josh Harkavy opened Red Onion Records & Books at 1901 18th Street NW in January 2007, six months a� er moving to the area with his wife, Alyssa.

“I had no job prospects and a massive quantity of books and records. Opening a shop just seemed like the right thing to do,” Harkavy said.

Red Onion has since accumulated “tens of thousands of LPs … mostly from folks who have just moved on from listening to records,” he said. Aside from buying and sell-ing people’s personal collections, he scours “top-secret spots” for inven-tory to � ll the small Dupont Circle basement space to the brim. Cus-tomers range from 20-somethings, 30-somethings and “lots of cou-ples” to “old-timers who have been into vinyl for decades,” he added.

Red Onion has also amassed something of a cult following, which is no small feat when D.C. vi-nyl institution Crooked Beat is right up the street in Adams Morgan. Yelp reviewers rave about Harkavy’s “tiny wonder” for its masterfully cu-

rated new and used selection of ev-erything from indie rock to jazz, its reasonable prices and the personal-ized customer service of Harkavy. Record enthusiasts can keep up with new arrivals by liking Red On-ion Records on Facebook; for buy-ing and selling inquiries, visit www.redonionrecordsandbooks.com.

CDepot, located at 9039 Balti-more Avenue, is another store that satis� es a vinyl addict’s craving. � e spot in College Park has been in business for nearly 20 years and has another location in Towson. While the store’s website (www.cdepot.com) boasts a “massive selection of both new and used CDs” — as well as used games and movies — it carries mostly used records in a variety of genres, with an especially comprehensive jazz, R&B and hip hop collection.

General manager Simon Peter-son explained that CDepot only

began selling vinyl in the last four or � ve years when it purchased the collection of a retired record-show exhibitor who was using the store’s basement for storage. � e store also bought the inventory of some other area retailers that were going out of business, and one thing led to another.

People now come in on a daily basis to unload their record collec-tions “for whatever reason — spring cleaning, emptying houses,” said Peterson. Near the front of the store, there’s o� en a row of boxed records

just waiting to be inventoried, and supposedly even more backlogged records in the basement. (Sorry, I’m told the basement is o� limits to even the most loyal of customers). When asked how many records the store has in total, Peterson estimat-ed, “Probably literally at least 1 mil-lion — I’m not even exaggerating. I wish I was.”

If you’re interested in selling music, games or movies to CDe-pot, customers are advised to call ahead and make sure funds are available that day, since the shop pays cash on the spot and does not issue store credit. Re-cords are competitively priced. I recently picked up three classic rock albums for about $12.

For nearby options in Mont-gomery County, Silver Spring of-fers two established shops: Joe’s Record Paradise at 8216 Geor-gia Avenue and � e Record Ex-change at 8236 Georgia Avenue. � e new Bump ‘n Grind, located at 1200 East West Highway, sells two of my favorite things: re-cords and espresso. But not just any espresso: it boasts a signature blend made with Hya� sville’s own Vigilante Co� ee. Happy hunting!

Exploring used vinyl beyond the thri� store

LAURA FLYNN KELLYThe music scene at CDepot.

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Dear Miss Floribunda,

Supermarkets, nurseries and hardware stores are tempting me with all kinds of summer bulbs and even peonies. I’ve bought these � owers in the past but few have lived a� er I’ve planted them at the time recom-mended on the packages. A certain number of the gladiolas and dahlias have eventually popped up, but few of the lilies or anemones ever have. I have a zero success rate with the peonies, so beautiful in the photographs that I never resist taking one more chance. Yet I just can’t believe they’d be for sale if every-body failed with them. Somebody told me to put them in the re� igerator until plant-ing time,, which I did, using labelled � eezer bags. � at failed too, which just about broke my heart. Please tell me what does work.

Disappointed on Decatur Street

Dear Disappointed,

Keeping your purchases cool is the right idea, but not in a moist place and not in plastic by any means. You will notice that, o� en, the packaging for summer bulbs are made of paper with ne� ing to allow them to breathe. You would do well to open any plastic bags within that packaging and put the contents in paper bags. � e right tem-perature to keep most of them is between

35 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Dahlia tu-bers and gladioli corms stay viable at 50 de-grees and even a bit above, so that is prob-ably why you’ve had be� er luck with those. A cool dry basement, a� ic, or enclosed side porch is ideal for storage. Cover with a cardboard box to keep light out if you have no closets in those areas of your home.

Avoid buying anything that has already sprouted. If some have sprouts, put them in peat moss and keep moist (not sopping wet) till a� er frost when you can put them in the ground. By the way, anemones will not come up if you don’t soak them overnight or at least plant them during a very rainy week.

� e sale of herbaceous peony tubers at this time of year is almost perverse. I con-sulted my peony professional, Virginia Li, and she told me they are best planted in autumn — just as chrysanthemums are best planted in spring. � e purveyors of plants prefer to tempt us when we are most likely to buy, which is near the time we envision them blooming. It’s a caveat emptor situation. If you’ve already suc-cumbed to temptation, Virginia advises you to plant your peonies in pots now and let them develop, still in a cool place but with more light. Mix lots of perlite with the sterile po� ing soil, because peonies are susceptible to root rot. Take the pots out-side in May, and keep them in semi-shade during the dog days of summer. Prepare

the ground where you hope to see them bloom. � e soil should not be too acidic, so add bone meal and/or wood ashes to it. It will take several weeks for these elements assimilate well. Meanwhile, keep the pots moderately watered and don’t be alarmed if they seem to die back somewhat.

In October, plant them in the spaces you have prepared; and be careful not to plant them too deep, or they will not bloom. About two inches of soil should cover the tubers. Be patient. It usually takes a couple of years before they produce � ow-ers, but a� er that they will keep blooming for decades if le� undisturbed. If they get crowded and you must separate them,

please wait till autumn. Additional advice from Virginia: a good companion plant is mint, both as a ground cover when the blooms die back and as an ant repellant. It is a myth that peonies need ants in order for blooms to open. � e ants don’t really harm the peonies, but they do invade the house in bouquets.

To discuss these and other of your gardening concerns, please come to the next meeting of the Hya� sville Horticultural Society on Sat-urday, March 21, � om 10 a.m. to noon. It will be hosted by Heather Olsen in her home at 4915 42nd Avenue. Weather permi� ing , we will sit in her garden among da� odils.

Canʼt get your peonies to grow? It may be because peonies are best planted in autumn.


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From left, clockwise. Footprints on a pedestrian path to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro Station; decorative flamingos dusted with snow; resident Mike Harley shovels sidewalks after the sixth snowstorm this season. According to the National Weather Service, Hyattsville received 5.3 inches of snow during the March 5 storm. On February 21, four inches of snow fell in the city.

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weird,” Franklin said. “Our residents and visitors

want better dining options, and Franklin’s Grill and Oyster Bar will bring back our diners who dine elsewhere, and attract new customers from the region who come to College Park for busi-ness or events at the University of Maryland,” said Bill Gardiner, assistant city manager for the City of College Park (and for-mer Hyattsville mayor).

While $30 fish entrees are new territory for Franklin, the College Park restaurant will maintain the social affability the community has come to expect from Frank-lin’s. While serving the finest sea-food, steaks, and locally procured dishes around, he intends to avoid the stiffness and formality of a five-star restaurant in D.C.

“I want to make it comfortable, not too formal,” he said. For the identity of the new location, think date night.

Franklin’s vision is clear, but the timetable for completion is a bit more complex. The original de-sign for the luxury hotel was in conflict with the Federal Avia-tion Administration’s (FAA) re-quirements for buildings near the regional airport in College Park, the Washington Post reported.

The change affects the hotel more logistically than aestheti-cally. The builders are still pro-moting it as one of the most luxurious in Prince George’s County, and it will still feature a roof-deck overlooking the Uni-versity of Maryland campus.

Bill Gardiner said he hopes that once the plans are approved and construction completed, the hotel, along with its ground-floor retail development, will continue the rapid remodeling of the Route 1 corridor and “catalyze redevelop-ment in downtown College Park.”

because of time of day and meth-od by which the robbery was committed,” said HCPD spokes-person Lt. Chris Purvis. “The robberies with the large groups of suspects [highlighted] seemed to be related.”

The suspects in the Decem-ber robberies are described as a group of black males, ages 18 to 21, in numbers ranging from four to 10. The suspects in the other crimes are all male, ages un-known, almost all dressed in dark clothing, according to police.

Regarding the motivation for these crimes, “The only thing we

has slowed down and stopped and let me get into my driveway or out of my driveway. It makes me believe in humanity.”

Councilmember Candace Hol-lingsworth (Ward 1) said that the intent of the discussion was not to do away with the traffic re-strictions altogether. She said she had received inquiries from resi-dents about a special exemption for people who live on that road or on adjacent blocks.

Councilmember Patrick Paschall (Ward 3) addressed the way the discussion item was submitted and said that it would have saved resi-dents and councilmembers time and stress if the intent of the dis-cussion had been more clear.

“Don’t interpret our talking about wanting to look at this from a larger perspective as say-ing we don’t care about what’s happening on Queensbury,” Councilmember Shani Warner (Ward 2) said. “We want to think about this in the context of the whole community.”

Since March 2011, Hyattsville City Police officers have conducted 170 out of 183 total traffic assign-ments on Queensbury Road during restricted hours, according to Police Chief Douglas Holland, but enforc-ing the restrictions only temporar-ily alleviates traffic violations.

“If you let it go for several days, the problem seems to come back,” he said.

Speaking in favor of loosening the access restriction, nearby resident Carl Neilsen said he recommends a sticker for Hy-attsville residents during the re-stricted period.

“I have seen in other areas signs that say local residents only, and there has to be some way to dis-tinguish those residents,” City Ad-ministrator Tracey Nicholson said.

Resident Hugh Turley, who has lived on Queensbury for approxi-mately 40 years, said he didn’t like the idea of permits. Everyone, he said, wants some sort of exemp-tion. “I’d like to come down 43rd Avenue,” he said, but it’s a one way street.

“Because we’re so close to the light [at Queens Chapel Road], we get the majority of the conges-tion,” Vaughn said. “People will sit in front of your home with their radios blasting. Our property val-ues are being affected.”

Biddier said frustrated drivers even throw trash out of their win-dows. “It’s not just cigarette butts and cups. It’s diapers—fully load-ed. And there are other personal use items that should not end up on the street. We pick up liquor bottles, beer cans, and dumped ash trays. We try to do what we can to make this city pretty.”

“We wish we had [the traffic restrictions] in the evening, be-cause you can’t get out of your driveway,” Anderson said. “If it was you, you would understand what we on Queensbury Road understand.”

can think of is that these were crimes of opportunity,” Lt. Purvis said. “That’s why we are encourag-ing folks to walk with friends or in a group.”

The area did see a decline in crime when “we installed the Safe City CCTV camera,” Lt. Purvis said. “It is just recently that we have seen a spike.” Police are looking into the possibility of adding an additional camera at Jamestown Road and Oliver Street.

Police urge pedestrians to show confidence, observe those around them, and to walk in open and well lit areas when-ever possible. During a robbery, HCPD suggests victims stay calm, try to obtain a description

of the perpetrator, and avoid do-ing anything heroic.

“Your life is worth more than your money,” police said.

After a robbery, HCPD instructs victims to avoid following the sus-pect and to contact the police im-mediately. If there are witnesses, “Ask them to stay until the police arrive. If they are unable to stay, at-tempt to get their name and phone number.”

If in need of immediate assis-tance in the City of Hyattsville, dial 301.985.5050, which is a di-rect line to Hyattsville Police.

Anyone with any information about a crime can contact the Hyattsville City Police Depart-ment / Criminal Investigations Section at 301.985.506.

franklin’s continued from page 1

robberies continued from page 1

queensbury continued from page 1


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march 2015 hyattsville life & times

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