December 2011 Hyattsville Life & Times

15
Included: The December 14, 2011 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601 TOYS continued on page 11 H ya tt svi ll e December 2011 Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper Vol. 8 No. 12 Life&Times A GUIDE TO LOCAL VOLUNTEERING A look at area groups that could use your help over the holidays — and beyond. PAGE 11 FROM LIVING TO GIVING How to care for a living Christmas tree — and where to donate it afterwards. PAGE 4 RIDING HIGH Local high school places in Quidditch World Cup. PAGE 3 SIDEWALKS continued on page 12 by Paula Minaert e city of Hyasville puts a lot of work into repairing and improving its streets. But some- times people don’t want their streets improved in the way the city proposes. A preliminary fea- sibility report for the University Hills neighborhood has met with vocal opposition and petitions against it from some of its resi- dents. e report contains plans for road repairs, traffic calming and various stormwater management efforts. But the main sticking point for its opponents is side- walks. ere are few sidewalks in University Hills and the pro- posed design calls for installing them, following the city’s 2007 policy that all streets have them. “e city has policies to do with accessibility and safe routes for kids to school. No child should get hit or a disabled person or a senior who has trouble walk- ing…they have the right to be able to move through our com- munity in a safe manner,” said Mayor Marc Tartaro. But University Hills resident (and treasurer of the neighbor- hood’s civic association) Jim Me- nasian said, “I’ve heard this myth, that if they build sidewalks it’ll University Hills faces sidewalk skirmish Some residents oppose city’s plan for roads by Scarlett Salem Many people spend the holiday season searching high and low to nd the perfect giſts for family and friends. But for some, it’s about be- ing able to afford any giſts at all for their loved ones. Longtime Hyasville resident Ruth Ann Frazier understands this. at’s why she has carried on the tradition so beloved to her late hus- band, Sonny, of giving toys to area children at an annual Christmas party. It all started in the Frazier liv- ing room in the 1980s, when the couple’s grandchildren were young. Aſter a neighbor handmade a Santa costume for Sonny to wear at their holiday gathering, they began in- viting children whose families had fallen on hard times. “Sonny loved Christmas and he loved kids,” recalled Frazier. Hav- ing grown up with a sister who had Down syndrome, he soon had the idea to add children with develop- mental challenges to the guest list as well. “We did this out of the house as a mom-and-pop thing. Sonny Local toy drive has become a tradition by Susie Currie e last of the concrete has dried at Hyasville’s newest araction, Melrose Skate Park. And al- though there is still work to be done before it of- ficially opens — puing in a basketball half-court, installing a bike rack and benches, landscaping — that’s enough for some younger residents. Designed for beginner-to-intermediate skateboard- ers, the course can also handle “bikes, scooters, just about anything they want to ride,” said construc- tion superintendent Don Wimer of American Ramp Company. e Missouri-based company, which bills itself as “the world’s largest skate park provider,” also installed Mount Rainier’s skate park in 2009. A project of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the new amenity is part of the 3.4-acre park at Rhode Island Avenue and 41st Place, near the city’s southern border. It’s on the Northwest Branch Trail, overlooking the Ana- costia River. e course of undulating concrete and sweeping ramps looks like it would be right at home in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. But these flourishes — with names like “tailwhip,” “flared pyramid,” “bent penny” and “hubba” — aren’t just for show. e biggest araction, said Wimer, is likely to be something called a “dragon-wing quarter-pipe,” HANG ON... Here comes Hyattsville’s skate park SKATE continued on page 10 Thomas Roszkowski launches his skateboard over an obstacle at the Melrose Skate Park. PHOTO BY WILLIAM JENNE

description

Melrose Skate Park finished, University Hills says no to sidewalks, Sonny Frazier Toy Drive beginnings, DeMatha soccer number 1 in nation, Eleanor Roosevelt Ridgebacks play in Quidditch World Cup, Eagle Scout William LaChance, how to donate your living Christmas tree.

Transcript of December 2011 Hyattsville Life & Times

Included: The December 14, 2011 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section

Hya

ttsv

ille

Life

& T

imes

PO B

ox 1

32H

yatt

svill

e, M

D 2

0781

PRSR

T ST

DU

.S. P

OST

AGE

PAID

Perm

it #

43Ea

ston

, MD

2160

1

TOYS continued on page 11

HyattsvilleDecember 2011Hyattsville’s Community NewspaperVol. 8 No. 12

Life&Times

A GUIDE TO LOCAL VOLUNTEERINGA look at area groups that could use your help over the holidays — and beyond. PAGE 11

FROM LIVING TO GIVINGHow to care for a living Christmas tree — and where to donate it afterwards. PAGE 4

RIDINGHIGHLocal high school places in Quidditch World Cup. PAGE 3

SIDEWALKS continued on page 12

by Paula Minaert

� e city of Hya� sville puts a lot of work into repairing and improving its streets. But some-times people don’t want their streets improved in the way the city proposes. A preliminary fea-sibility report for the University Hills neighborhood has met with vocal opposition and petitions against it from some of its resi-dents.

� e report contains plans for road repairs, tra� c calming and various stormwater management e� orts. But the main sticking point for its opponents is side-walks. � ere are few sidewalks in University Hills and the pro-posed design calls for installing them, following the city’s 2007 policy that all streets have them.

“� e city has policies to do with accessibility and safe routes for kids to school. No child should get hit or a disabled person or a senior who has trouble walk-ing…they have the right to be able to move through our com-munity in a safe manner,” said Mayor Marc Tartaro.

But University Hills resident (and treasurer of the neighbor-hood’s civic association) Jim Me-nasian said, “I’ve heard this myth, that if they build sidewalks it’ll

University Hills faces sidewalk skirmishSome residents oppose city’s plan for roads

by Scarlett Salem

Many people spend the holiday season searching high and low to � nd the perfect gi� s for family and friends. But for some, it’s about be-ing able to a� ord any gi� s at all for their loved ones.

Longtime Hya� sville resident Ruth Ann Frazier understands this. � at’s why she has carried on the tradition so beloved to her late hus-band, Sonny, of giving toys to area children at an annual Christmas party.

It all started in the Frazier liv-ing room in the 1980s, when the couple’s grandchildren were young. A� er a neighbor handmade a Santa costume for Sonny to wear at their holiday gathering, they began in-viting children whose families had fallen on hard times.

“Sonny loved Christmas and he loved kids,” recalled Frazier. Hav-ing grown up with a sister who had Down syndrome, he soon had the idea to add children with develop-mental challenges to the guest list as well.

“We did this out of the house as a mom-and-pop thing. Sonny

Local toy drive has become a tradition

by Susie Currie

� e last of the concrete has dried at Hya� sville’s newest a� raction, Melrose Skate Park. And al-though there is still work to be done before it of-� cially opens — pu� ing in a basketball half-court, installing a bike rack and benches, landscaping — that’s enough for some younger residents.

Designed for beginner-to-intermediate skateboard-ers, the course can also handle “bikes, scooters, just about anything they want to ride,” said construc-tion superintendent Don Wimer of American Ramp Company. � e Missouri-based company, which bills itself as “the world’s largest skate park provider,” also installed Mount Rainier’s skate park in 2009.

A project of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, the new amenity is part of the 3.4-acre park at Rhode Island Avenue and 41st Place, near the city’s southern border. It’s on the Northwest Branch Trail, overlooking the Ana-costia River.

� e course of undulating concrete and sweeping ramps looks like it would be right at home in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. But these � ourishes — with names like “tailwhip,” “� ared pyramid,” “bent penny” and “hubba” — aren’t just for show.

� e biggest a� raction, said Wimer, is likely to be something called a “dragon-wing quarter-pipe,”

HANG ON...Here comes Hyattsville’s skate park

SKATE continued on page 10

Thomas Roszkowski launches his skateboard over an obstacle at the Melrose Skate Park.PHOTO BY WILLIAM JENNE

Page 2 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

A community newspaper chronicling the

life and times of Hyattsville

Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501c(3) nonpro� t

corporation. Interested reporters should send their e-mail addresses to the editor to be reminded of deadlines and receive internal news. Articles and news submit-

ted may be edited. The deadline is the last week of the month for the following month’s issue. Letters to the editor and opinions are encouraged. For all e-mail

correspondence with HL&T: news, features, tips, advertising and business write to hyattsvillelifeandtimes@gmail.

com. To submit articles, letters to the edi-tor, etc., e-mail [email protected].

Executive Editor Paula Minaert

[email protected]

Managing EditorSusie Currie

[email protected]

Editorial InternScarlett Salem

ProductionAshley PerksAdvertising

[email protected]

Writers & ContributorsVictoria Hille, William Jenne,

Valerie Russell, Kimberly Schmidt, Fred Seitz, Hugh Turley

Board of Directors Julia Duin - President

Chris Currie - Vice PresidentJoseph Gigliotti - General Counsel

Paula Minaert - SecretaryPeggy Dee, Bart Lawrence,

Karen J. RileySusie Currie - 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

POSTCARDS FROM THE PASTthinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

by Paula Minaert

I get crabby this time of year, when I see Christmas decora-tions before Halloween and snide holiday ads. Christmas has been co-opted by the capitalists, I grumble. It’s consumerism run rampant. (Obviously, I’m only one of a long line of people who point this out.)

A man hit and killed some peo-ple in the Home Depot parking lot on East-West Highway on � anksgiving Day when he lost control of his car. He was there because he thought it was open — because some stores actu-ally were open that day. Others planned to open at midnight, to

Capturing the � ag — and the spirit of the seasongive eager shoppers a head start on Black Friday. Whatever hap-pened to regarding this holiday as sacrosanct?

But I saw some things recently that put me in a be� er frame of mind — right here in Hya� sville. On December 3, I saw a long line of police cars parked on 43rd Avenue by Hya� sville Elemen-tary School. � en they started moving, and you couldn’t miss it. Every single vehicle turned on its lights and its siren, and they slowly drove in a long (and noisy) procession to the Mall at Prince George’s.

It was the annual Santa with a Badge event, where our city po-lice o� cers, with help from other local law enforcement agencies, take needy children on a shop-ping spree for Christmas. I don’t know about the children, but I loved the parade, especially the cars with speakers that made a “vroom-vroom” sound. � e whole thing made me feel good.

� en that a� ernoon, I went to the � rst annual Hya� sville He-roes Bowl: Hya� sville’s Finest (the police department) versus its Bravest (the Volunteer Fire

Department) in a � ag football game. � e game raised money for the Sonny Frazier Toy Drive, which also provides gi� s for needy children (see page 1).

� ese are people whose work is helping city residents — and they spent most of a Saturday, on their own time, doing something else that bene� ted others.

Of course, they had a lot of fun, too. � e players tackled each other, pulled each other down in the dirt and talked trash. At one point, one of the Finest picked up one of the Bravest and held him upside down. Just for fun.

� e Finest scored the � rst touch-down, courtesy of Alonzo Wash-ington, assistant to County Coun-cilmember Will Campos. In the end, the Bravest won, but no one’s quite sure of the score. I heard dif-ferent ones, and that’s as it should be. It wasn’t about the score.

� e following � ursday, I worked at St. Jerome’s Café. Several members of the nearby Second Washington Chapel on Gallatin Street came and brought gi� s for everyone who came for lunch. � ey cut bread and served pasta. And before we served, one woman from the Chapel led us in a call-and-response song. It be-gins, “I don’t know but I’ve been told…streets of heaven are paved with gold.” We all joined in.

All this is small-town America at its best. It’s our friends and neighbors focusing on what’s re-ally important. And they do this kind of thing all year round.

by Peggy Dee

Unlike the Christmas season of today, which begins the day a� er Halloween, Christmas in the early days of Hya� sville truly began the day a� er � anksgiving. Mothers would gath-er up their children, walk down to the street-car access below Route 1, and board the car for downtown Washington.

In those days, there were several large de-partment stores in that area, and each one took great pride in decorating its windows for the holidays. � e families would travel along F and G streets and down 7th Street to see each window. Inside each department store, the mothers and children marveled at the ar-rival of Santa Claus in a lovely se� ing of Toy-land. A� er a delicious hot dog or hamburger lunch at one of the stand-up lunch counters of the downtown � ve-and-dime stores, the exhausted families took the Branchville streetcar back to Hya� sville.

As the big day drew near, the volume of Christmas cards was so heavy that the Post Office hired temporary mail carriers, many

of whom were college students. It was not unusual to see your regular mailman in the morning making his daily round and a temporary hire delivering more mail in the afternoon.

Many families had open houses, where people would go to admire the decorations of their neighbors and enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate. In those days, the neigh-bors tell me, the residents did not decorate as extensively as they do today. Colored lights outlined the outside of the houses and a few Nativity scenes were spo� ed on a few lawns. Some families chose to put up the tree on Christmas Eve a� er the kids were safely tucked away in their beds.

Listening to the caroling just outside your door was a special treat on a cold, wind-swept December evening. Several churches conducted midnight services on Christmas Eve and, no ma� er how cold the night, the churchgoers walked home. Many of the orig-inal neighbors on my street remember the Nativity scene outside the city building on Je� erson Street. Seeing Santa Claus waving at

everyone from a top of a � re engine that trav-eled throughout the city was a special treat for the kids.

 My neighbors along 41st Avenue relayed to me that each Christmas morning the fami-lies went door-to-door to wish each other a Merry Christmas. Plates of homemade cook-ies and gingerbread were passed around. If we were fortunate enough to have snow the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Hamilton Street between 42nd and 40th was completely blocked o� so the kids could try out their new sleds. Much like our practice of today, our city sponsored a tree lighting ceremony, with carolers and a visit from the man himself, Santa Claus

� e holiday celebrations continued through the week. A few of the neighbors would host house parties on New Year’s Eve, where those a� ending could safely walk home. Baked ham and mashed potatoes with black-eyed peas and pumpkin and mincemeat pies was the usual menu for New Year’s Day.

 � ese celebrations in our dear city created memories that will last forever.

Christmas in Hya� sville pastthinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you!

ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing

we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of

you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'�

doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� !

thinking of you! ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you!

ho� you'� doing we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing

we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'� doing

we� ! thinking of you! ho� you'�

doing we� ! thinking of you! ho�

you'� doing we� ! thinking of you!

ho� you'� xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

CHRIS CURRIEHyattsvilleʼs police officers and firefighters pray together following the Heroes Bowl on December 3. For a look at the game, see page 13.

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 3

The holidays are coming! (’Nuff said?) Hours: Tuesday–Friday 11–7, Saturday 11–6, Sunday 1–5

Closed on Monday

301-779-33995200 Baltimore Ave. (Rte. 1), Hyattsville, MD 20781Across from Franklin’s, entrance on Gallatin Street

www.atangledskein.com

HLTOct2011 nuff.qx 9/30/11 1:32 AM Page 1

AdirondAck Tree experTs

Recipient of Checkbook Magazine’s “Check of Quality”

Proudly serving the Citizens of Hyattsville since 1996

REMOVAL • PRUNING TRIMMING

Free Estimates!

301-595-2827On-Line Coupons

www.adirondacktreeexperts.com

Senior Citizen Discounts • Visa and Mastercard Accepted

FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED

Runway StudiosKidsHoliday HairTreat your little one to our Runway Fabulous Shampoo and Style for

$35We service all hair types and can create a variety of hair styles. Make an appointment before New Year’s and receive a free feather accessory!

Call 301-864-3330 today!

Win a year of FREE house cleaning!Just visit www.everlastingpm.com to enter to win a year of FREE house cleaning OR lawn service.

FREE PHONE ESTIMATES!25% OFF 1st CLEANING!

Everlasting Property Maintenancewww.everlastingpm.com · info everlastingpm.com@

(202) 705-0331

Register Now for Winter Classes (January 16 - February 25)• Clay Class• Open Studio Time for Ages 6 and Under• Toddler Time• Kids Create Saturdays Classes for Ages 2 through 12

• Making Faces with Ed Bisese: Drawing for Teens and Adults• Visual Art Workshop with Barbara Johnson for Teens and AdultsStudent Gallery

Exhibit and “Cookies and Crafts” Holiday Party December 17, 2 to 4 PM

Occupy 2012 Open House: January 7, 2 to 4 PM FREE for all ages.

School’s OUT...We’re IN! Day Camp for Ages 6-12 and 13-18.

Finding Heart, Photographs by Rick Ruggles and Poems by Steve Godwin...Opening Reception Friday January 13 7 to 9 pm

Free Classes the Week of January 9!

3711 Rhode Island AvenueMount Rainier, MD 20712301-454-0808artworksnow.org

by Susie Currie

The last Harry Potter movie has come and gone. But some local fans at Eleanor Roosevelt High School have found a way to keep alive the magic of J.K. Row-ling’s phenomenally successful seven-book series.

The Roosevelt Ridgebacks, one of eight high school teams to compete in last month’s Quidditch World Cup V, took third place in their division.

In the books, Quidditch is billed as the sport of wizards, played on airborne broomsticks with three types of levitating balls in play. In 2005, students at Vermont’s Middlebury College adapted it for “muggles,” Rowling’s term for non-magical folk.

Since then, the sport has spread to 300 universities in the U.S. and a dozen other countries, according to the In-ternational Quidditch Association. (Motto: “The Only Fantasy Sport That Will Make You Break A Sweat”)

About 100 teams — mostly from colleges in the U.S., but also from Canada, New Zealand and Argentina, ac-cording to organizers — gathered in New York Novem-ber 12 and 13 for the fifth annual Quidditch World Cup.

There was plenty to do between games; Ridgeback co-captain Matthew Williams described the festival atmosphere as “oddly similar to walking through the tournament in Book 4.”

He likens the game to a cross between rugby, tag, flag football and dodge ball. Play is on an oval field with seven members per team, and players must

keep a broomstick between their legs at all times. “It can be pretty vicious because you’re allowed

to tackle,” says Roosevelt sophomore Ruby Des-siatoun, who was part of the tournament team.

Reading the books isn’t a prerequisite for being on the team, but it helps.

“I think you really have to be a fan,” said Des-siatoun, who is also on the school swim team. “Peo-ple look at you like you’re insane when you say that you play Quidditch. You have to be able to say, ‘I love Harry Potter, and this is who I am.’ ”

The Ridgebacks, named for a type of dragon in the books, practiced two or three times a week to prepare. They were the only Maryland high school team to compete; at the college level, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University represented the state.

Williams and fellow senior co-captain Olivia Guerrieri started the team three years ago, after Williams learned of the sport while visiting his brother at New York Uni-versity. Now there are 40 Roosevelt players, including some Hyattsville residents, with a team for each grade. The top 10 went to the competition.

The next time the two co-captains attend the tour-nament, it will be as a Division I or II team (desig-nations reserved for the collegiate level). Williams says he’s not the only one who made sure that col-leges had Quidditch teams before applying to them.

His own first choice, Emerson, “has finished in the top 10 the last few years [of the tournament].”

Local Harry Potter fans place in Quidditch World Cup

teresa williamsThe Eleanor Roosevelt Ridgebacks prepare to take on Pleasantville High School at the Quidditch World Cup V, held last month in New York.

Page 4 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

MissFloribunda

Lawson’s PharmacyPICK-UP & DELIVERYOF PRESCRIPTIONS

Ostomy Supplies, Sr. Citizen’s DiscountsConvalescent Aids

Sales & RentalsRichard Sabatelli, R. Ph.301-864-4043

3415 Hamilton St., Hyattsville, MD 20782

Specializing in maSonry & Small concrete conStruction

Office: 4318 Hamilton St. #106 • Hyattsville, MD 20781 George W. Reaves, Owner

301-864-8161 • Fax 301-864-0013FOr yOur cOnStructiOn neeDS, call uS at

BRICK WORK PLUSRunway Studios Salon

301-864-33305106 Baltimore Ave Hyattsville MD

Walk-Ins are WelcomeWeave Special $175Keratin Treatment Available

20% off first service

Enhance the look of wedding portraits, vacation snapshots, and family portraits

by printing on canvas.

NOW OPEN at The Shoppes in Arts District Hyattsville5331 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 105 (On Jefferson Street)

301.887.0080 | www.framesavvy.com

Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM-8PM; Sunday 10AM-5PM

December Special Canvas Printing Special! 50% off 16x20 (3/4”)! Includes gallery wrap, protective coating and hanging hardware. Large and non-standard

sizes available upon request.

International Travel Vaccines6525 Belcrest Road

Suite #203Hyattsville, Maryland 20782

(301) 403-8808

Yellow fever, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio, etc.

Dear Miss Floribunda,

I see live decorated Christmas trees for sale in stores and online and am tempted to start acquiring these for the holidays instead of buying a cut tree. However, your “Christmas in July” column has made me look ahead and realize that in 20 years I could be facing a forest of conifers in my yard. Do you know of a place I could donate my trees a� er taking o� the decora-tions?

Ecologically Earnest on Emerson Street

Dear Ecologically Earnest,

I have good news for you. � e Franciscan Monastery at 1400 Quincy Street NE, Washing-ton, D.C. — only about 2 miles

away from Hya� sville — will accept live Christmas trees af-ter the holidays or in the spring as part of a tree-planting pro-gram. � e person to call is Ben Hill, president of the Francis-can Monastery Garden Guild, at 703.899.6592 to arrange for a time to deliver it. In addi-tion, the City of Hya� sville will pick up your tree and take it to Magruder Park a� er the holi-days to have it mulched.

However, you should not imagine that it is ecologically reprehensible to buy a cut tree. Tree farms replace the trees they sell with new plant-ings. What I consider ecologi-cally irresponsible is to buy artificial trees, which use up resources and pollute the en-vironment in their manufac-ture. They cannot be mulched.

(On the other hand, my niece Meretricia and her husband Bling insist that they should be congratulated for getting their silver metallic tree from Freecycle, thus saving both the tree and the environment.)

If you plan to get a live tree and donate it later, here is a warn-ing from an expert. Dr. Doug-las Firr advises against getting a live conifer taller than 5 feet because they are likely to have severed roots. Even the smaller trees should first be kept in a cool garage or basement for at least a week after purchase and should not be kept in on display in your warm living room for more than 10 days. Otherwise, the tree will wake from dormancy and then suf-fer shock when it goes outside. Keeping it indoors any length

of time requires some skill — for example, knowing just how much to water it.

Another alternative is to pur-chase manageable shrubs you can maintain as house plants, such as the Norfolk Island Pine or those rosemary topiar-ies graced with red bows. The rosemary “tree” can be planted in your garden or kept right in your kitchen. As you may know, rosemary is a tasty addition to many dishes, and is the main herb in Provençal cuisine. As you add to your collec-tion outside, you could develop a charming fra-grant hedge at the same time.

Or you could choose the slow-growing boxwood. Trimmed to a C h r i s t m a s - t r e e shape, they are sold in Decem-ber and can be decorated. It would be pos-sible to keep one in a large pot for a number of years and bring it in

each year for quite some time. Once planted outside, boxwoods make elegant hedges.

Now, on the West Coast and in Europe, it is possible to actually rent a tree and return it a� er the holidays. I’m hoping this excit-ing trend will reach us soon. Right now, probably the best idea for someone “ecologically earnest” is to make a gi� pur-chase of a tree from one of the many online organizations that solicit such help. � ey use your donation to plant a healthy tree

where it’s most needed.

To discuss these and other gardening questions, please

come to the next meeting of the Hya� sville Horti-

cultural So-ciety at 10 a.m. on Sat-urday, De-cember 17. � is month it will be at the home of Herb and Victo-

ria Hille at 4101 Galla-tin Street.

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 5

Yes, I would like to support The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department!

My donation is (please circle one): $25 $50 $100 $250 $__________Please make checks payable to Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department

or donate online at http://give.hvfd.com.

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: _____________________

Email address: _______________________________________________________________________________

Yes, please send me the HVFD Quarterly Community Email newsletter.

Please contact me about volunteer opportunities.

$500 or More• Nameon2011/2012 AnnualGivingPlaque insideHVFDFireStation• HVFDChallengeCoin• RecognitiononHVFD.com WebsiteDonorRoll• ThankYouInclusionina 2012IssueofHyattsville Life&Times• HVFDSupporterCar WindowSticker

$250 to $499• HVFDChallengeCoin• RecognitiononHVFD.com WebsiteDonorRoll• ThankYouInclusionina 2012IssueofHyattsville Life&Times• HVFDSupporterCar WindowSticker

$100 to $249• RecognitiononHVFD.com WebsiteDonorRoll• HVFDSupporterCar WindowSticker

$25 - $99• HVFDSupporterCar WindowSticker

Followus!

http://give.hvfd.comOrmailtheformbelowwithyourcheckto:HyattsvilleVFD,POBox5275,Hyattsville,MD20782

New this year! Thanking You with HVFD Giving Levels

TheHyattsvilleVolunteerFireDepartmentprovidesround-the-clockfire,rescueandemergencymedicalservicetoyourcommunity.Lastyear,werespondedtonearly6,000callsforservice–themajorityofwhichwerehandled100%byvolunteers.Everymonth,nearly75volunteersgivethousandsofhoursrespondingtocalls,training,coordinatingevents,providingadministrativesupportandmore.Yourdonationsarecriticaltosupportourabilitytoservethecommunityandtobeatyourdoorstepwhenyouandyourneighborscall911.

Please visit http://give.hvfd.com to make your secure online donation today!

We’re there when you need us...

FollowtheHVFDonFacebookathttp://www.facebook.com/hyattsvillevfd orourWebsiteathttp://www.hvfd.com forinformationabout:• MakingOnlineorRecurringDonations• VolunteerOpportunities• SpecialEvents• Photos• IncidentUpdates• RecruitmentNews• AndMore

Page 6 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

Call us for a Friendly, FREE

Consultation

Healthy Choices Hypnosis Center

Robert Minaert, CHtConsulting Hypnotist301-335-9376

Visit us online at www.healthychoiceshome.com

Emotional distress this holiday season?We can help you break free.

DYLAN HANNA

LISTING SPECIALISTTHINKING OF SELLING?CALL TODAY!

[email protected]: 301-439-11803700 Nicholson St.

$224,900

6003 39th Place$287,000

Taunya L. Jenkins, DDS, LLCGeneral Dentist6525 Belcrest Rd Suite 201Hyattsville, MD 20785• RCT• Crowns• Bleaching

• Veneers• Dentures• White Fillings

Emergencies WelcomeMost Insurances Accepted

Tel 301-779-0522Fax 301-927-1815M-Thu 9-5 Sat by Appt.

William LaChance III, a member of Boy Scout Troop 224 in Hyattsville, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, he planned and implemented the repair and painting of picnic ta-bles at Magruder Park, working with the Scouts of Troop 224. This successful project will give years of picnic fun to the people of Hyattsville. 

Coach Dafydd Evans announced that the DeMatha varsity soccer Stags (20-0-0) have earned the top spot in national rankings by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The team, which completed its second undefeated season, had been ranked #2 nationally for most of the season, behind undefeated St. Benedict’s Prep. The DeMatha team is ranked #1 by the Washington Post and recently won the WCAC Championship.

A Thanksgiving Day trag-edy unfolded in the Hyattsville Home Depot parking lot. A 79-year-old driver had what po-lice are calling a “medical emer-gency” and lost control of his car, hitting six pedestrians and sending five to the hospital. Two of them have since died: Fredys Castilio-Giron, 41, of Hyattsville, and Jose Cristino Sanchez-Rosa, of Falls Church, Va., who is believed to be about the same age, according to po-lice reports. The store, located at 3301 East West Highway, was closed for the November 24 holiday.

Speed cameras will probably be in-stalled in the city by March or April, depending on council actions and approval, says Police Chief Douglas Holland. At its December 5 meeting, city council members reviewed a propos-al by Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., which has

other such programs in the area. Five streets will be analyzed for cameras: Baltimore Avenue, East-West Highway, 42nd Avenue, Adelphi Road and Ager Road. ACS will contract with a third party to conduct the site analysis.

The Hyattsville Police Department has been ac-credited — for the fifth time — by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies. That means it satisfactorily completed a process of thorough agency-wide self-evaluation and an out-side review by a team of independent assessors. The accreditation is good for three years.

Hyattsville has been named a sustainable commu-nity (one of only five) in the state of Maryland.

This designation gives the city gov-ernment, residents, and businesses access to special state funding, such as from the Community Legacy program, State Highway Admin-istration retrofit programs and Neighborhood Business Works. “We’re very proud of this,” said Community Development Man-ager Jim Chandler.

Congratulations to the His-torical Association of Riverdale Park on Images of America: Riverdale Park, the latest in a series by Arcadia Publish-ing. (Hyattsville’s, you may remember, was published in 2008). Donald Lynch, Tom Alderson and Melissa Av-

ery co-authored the 128-page book, which is full of archival pictures that capture the past of our neighbor to the north. Find it at area bookstores or online retailers, including www.arcadiapublishing.com.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR NewS BRIefS

susie currieMichele Luby admires a set of ornaments during St. Jerome’s Annual Christmas Bazaar, held on December 3.

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 7

Good Vibes Music StudioHyattsville’s

offering violin, guitar, and piano lessons for ages 3 and up

Thirty-five years’ experience in jazz, pop and classical -- solo and ensemble

Contact Ann Palmer, B.A. in piano performance, at 301-779-0457 or [email protected]

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CaLL MY OFFICE FOr a quOtE 24/7.

P080086 05/08

I’M THERE™

Averageannual savings of

State Farm Mutual automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL

One call could bring down your car insurance rates—big time. With average annual savings of $369*, no wonder over 4,000 drivers a day shift to State Farm.®

$426*

*Average annual per household savings based on a national 2008 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm.

$426*

M McGibbon Ins and Fin Svc IncMark W McGibbon CLU ChFC CASL, AgentBus: 301-927-5030 Fax: [email protected]

Homo HabilisConstruction, LLC*

*Ho-mo hab-i-lis, n. (Handy Man, Skillful-Man)

A species of humans considered to be an ancestor of modern humans and the earliest hominid to make tools. This species

existed between 1.5 and 2.0 million years ago.

REMODELING 2 million years of experience wrapped up in one small company!

Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Additions, Handyman, Repairs…

Peter J. O’Day 3811 Nicholson Street Hyattsville, MD 20782

240-441-2792 oday.homohabilis @gmail.com

Fine Ethiopian Cuisine in the Arts District of Hyattsville

Fun, Tasty and Healthy Dining!Eat In and Take OutAsk about our catering!

6040 Baltimore Ave.Hyattsville MD 20781240-296-3030

Monday-Thursday 11am-10pmFriday-Saturday 11am-11pmSunday 11am-9pm

Shagga Coffee & Restaurant

www.shaggarestaurant.com

by Fred Seitz

The recent big drop of leaves has revealed homes of many Hyattsville residents that we see and hear for much of the year, but often take for granted. A single Norway maple near the tennis courts in Magruder Park has at least four nests that were hidden by foliage during the spring and summer.

Some are bird nests. But at least one belongs to one of our most ubiquitous rodents, the gray squirrel. Large bun-dles of leaves are now visible in the crotches of many trees throughout Hyattsville, attest-ing to the high concentration of this most familiar mammal.

Of the three large tree-climb-ing squirrels in Maryland, the gray squirrels are the only ones in this area. (The endangered Delmarva fox squirrels are lim-ited to the Eastern shore and mostly live in loblolly pines; red squirrels live further west in the state and have a prefer-ence for evergreens and pine-cones.) In their melanistic form, they are almost entirely

black. These black squirrels are descendants of a group that was brought from Ontario to the National Zoo. Some es-caped and they spread to many areas near Washington.

The abundance of gray squir-rels today is stunning com-pared to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Much of the Eastern U.S. forest had been cut at that time for farmland and there was concern that the gray squirrel could become extinct. However, they have recovered and thrive in the suburbs and parks throughout the area.

Gray squirrels will eat pine-cone seeds, but are best known for harvesting nuts like acorns, hickory and beech. When they bury the nut in the ground, they push it in with their nos-es. This helps to scent-mark the spot, making it easier to find when hunger calls. They are also fond of many agricul-tural crops, such as corn, but will eat tree buds and insects when nuts and other foods are not available.

They breed twice a year, in the

spring and fall, giving birth to between three and five young each time. Their nests are oc-casionally raided by raccoons, which will augment their diet with the helpless baby squir-rels. The surviving young can leave the nest in about 4 to 5 weeks.

The grays do share this area with both Southern and Northern flying squirrels, both of which are exclusively nocturnal. Though seen far less often, they may be as plen-tiful here as their gray tree-climbing cousins.

As anyone with a bird feeder can attest, both the gray squir-rels and the flying squirrels are frequent raiders of these backyard pit stops. You can in-crease the chances of seeing a flying squirrel by having a light near the bird feeder and peri-odically turning it on at night.

The night light at the feeder may also reveal some other nocturnal visitors, such as mice collecting fallen seed, early evening birds and cats who may prey on any of the other visitors.

NatureNearbyEmpty nests and feeder raiders

Snow!Know your recyclablesPrince George’s County continues to expand the list of materials accepted for recycling in their blue Toters. The following items can be left curb-side for collection: Glass food and beverage con-tainers, empty aerosol cans, aluminum, bimetal, ferrous, and steel food and beverage containers, aluminum foil, metal coat hangers, all paper, gable-top milk and juice cartons, catalogs, flat-tened corrugated cardboard boxes, frozen food packaging, hard- and soft- covered books, kraft paper bags and wrapping paper, magazines, newspapers with inserts, paper board cereal and cracker boxes, telephone books, bagged gro-cery bags, shrink wrap, and stretch-film, drinking cups/glasses, flower pots, narrow-neck contain-ers with code identification numbers 1 through 7, wide-mouth containers such as peanut butter, yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise and whipped topping, margarine/butter tubs, prescription bottles, and a partridge in a pear tree. Just kidding about the partridge.

Consider composting City Code permits composting, provided resi-dents use an enclosed container. An ordinary plastic garbage can or storage box can be turned into a compost bin. Composters are also available for purchase at lawn and gar-den stores. An enclosed container will prevent rodents and other pests from feasting on your compost. It should also prevent any smells from bothering your neighbors!

Redirect the rain Rain barrels and rain gardens are great ways to redirect water and use it to improve the health of your yard – as well as our entire community.

Learn to like your bike The City participated in Bike to Work Day in May.

A wealth of resources for bike commuters is available at www.waba.org.

And the bus and the train Our City is rich with alternative transportation options, including Metro rail and bus, the MARC at Riverdale Park, and Prince George’s County’s The Bus service.

And, of course, good ol’ fashioned sneaker power The City participated in International Walk to School Day in October, encouraging kids to get to school through alternative means. Learn more at www.walktoschool.org.

Wind powered The City of Hyattsville runs on wind power, and has the US Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Community certification to prove it!

Tree friendly In 2011 the City celebrated our twentieth year as a Tree City, as designated by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Water water everywhere Prince George’s County has adopted a Water-shed Implementation Plan. Learn more about clean water through the Anacostia Watershed Society, www.anacostiaws.org.

Deck the halls If you’re still waiting to dress your nest with holi-day dazzle, consider going green. If you choose a real tree, see our pick-up dates for recycling below. Consider reusable gift wrap, or paper made with a high recycled content. Don’t forget your reusable totes when you head out shop-ping. And LED lights can brighten the season and lower your electricity bill, too.

Hyattsville Reporterthe

No. 230• December 14, 2011www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Page HR1 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page HR2

IN OTHER NEWS...

DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012

CALENDAR

Dec. 14Claus Applause judging, 6:00 PMCity-wide

Dec. 26City Administrative offices closed. No Yard Waste collection, City-wide.

Jan. 2City Administrative offices closed. No Yard Waste collection, City-wide.

Jan. 9, 8:00 PMCity Council Meeting

Jan. 13Deadline for MLK poster contest submissions.

Jan. 16Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, City Administrative offices closedNo Yard Waste collection, City-wide

Jan. 17, 9:00 AMPre-registration opens for Spring Break and Summer camps, City residents only(General registration opens February 8.)

Jan. 18, 8:00 PMCity Council Work Session

Jan. 23, 8:00 PMCity Council Meeting

Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the City Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street.

CLAUS APPLAUSE AWARD WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED

Judging for the 2012 Claus Applause Awards will take place Wednesday, December 14 beginning at 6:00 PM. The award re-cipients will be announced no later than Monday, December 19. Check the City’s website, www.hyattsville.org, to see who was the glitziest and the greenest.

2012 MLK POSTER CONTEST

The Department of Recreation and the Arts announces the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. poster contest. Hyattsville students – stu-dents who either reside within the City limits or attend a school located within the City limits - in grades 5-8 are invited to enter. The theme for this year’s contest is centered around Dr. King’s commitment to community and service, which were compo-nents that he believed were essential to the struggle for equality. See more on the theme, as well as guidelines and official rules at http://www.hyattsville.org/mlkposter. Entries are due no later than January 13, 2012 at 5:00 PM. Questions? Call 301/985-5020.

2012 TREE COLLECTIONChristmas trees can be put out for pick-up with Yard Waste af-ter the holidays. January 2012 Yard Waste pick-up dates are 1/9, 1/23, and 1/30; however, we will accept the trees during any pick-up, if you deck the halls into March. Please remove all lights, tinsel, ornaments, and other decorations before placing curbside. No bags are required.

NIXLEThe City is now using Nixle to send public safety alerts and in-formation via both email and text message. This system replaces the SafeCity website previously in use. Many of our neighboring jurisdictions also use Nixle to send out information. If you have a nixle.com account, there is no need to create a new one. Simply log in and add the City of Hyattsville to your wire. New to Nixle? Register at www.nixle.com or enroll using the widget online at http://www.hyattsville.org/stayinformed.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR HOLIDAY TRASH CHANGESThe City is closed on Monday, December 26, 2011, and Monday, January 2, 2012 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays. As a result, there is no Yard Waste pick-up either of those weeks, City-wide. Questions? Please call the Department of Public Works at 301/985-5032.

SPRING BREAK CAMP ESCAPE AND SUMMER CAMP PRE-REGISTRATION OPENS JAN 17The Department of Recreation and the Arts will offer Spring Break Camp Escape the week of April 2 through 6, as well as our Summer Camp program beginning in June 2012. City resident pre-registration opens Tuesday, January 17. General registration opens Monday, February 8. See our next edition for details.

CALL FOR GROUPS TO MARCH IN ANNIVERSARY PARADEThe City’s 126th Anniversary Parade will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Community groups, youth groups, classic car drivers, marching bands, step teams, fire and police units, and other civic organizations are invited to participate! Please visit http://www.hyattsville.org/parade for details, including a regis-tration form.

FIND US ON FACEBOOKAre you on Facebook? You can now keep up with City events and happenings at www.facebook.com/cityofhyattsville. When you see Vainglorious, the silver metal bird sculpture at Centennial Park, you’ll know you’re in the right place. He is kind enough to serve as the City’s wall photo.

GOING GREEN IN 2011:

Toward a greener New YearThis is the twelfth and final in a series of stories about how City residents can make small changes to have a positive impact on our environment. While Going Green is coming to a close, this list is chock full of resolutions residents can consider for a greener 2012 and beyond.

There are countless ways to make greener choices. Not every choice works for every individual or family, but some choices can be considered by nearly everyone. Here’s a look back at topics we covered over the last year:

Let it

2010’s snowfall broke records. Chances are this year won’t be quite as noteworthy, but the Department of Public Works is already preparing for whatever comes our way. Here are some important tips to keep in mind during any winter weather event. Our highest priority is ensuring that emergency vehicles – police, fire, and ambulance – can get through. Our personnel clear one lane on primary roads first, and work from there. During heavier snowfalls, the first pass of the plow may still leave a thin layer of snow behind.

Residents can help by sticking close to home. We understand that military, healthcare and other es-sential personnel need to report, but keeping un-necessary vehicles off the road is important.

If possible, avoiding parking on the street. Not only does this make plowing go more quickly, it

also helps protect vehicles from salt spray and slid-ing vehicles. If you do park on the street, please park as close to the curb as possible.

Remember, clearing sidewalks is the responsibil-ity of every property owner. Normally we ask that sidewalks be cleared within 24 hours of the storm’s conclusion, but in cases of heavy snowfall, we may announce a longer window.

Do not plow, blow, or shovel snow into the street. Please shovel snow into the front yard. Snow mounds are hazardous to motorists, and increase the time required to clear all City streets. Property owners who hire contractors to clear their side-walks and driveways should ensure that their con-tractors understand this requirement.

For more information, including a list of primary roads, visit http://www.hyattsville.org/snow

HappyHolidays!from all of us at the city of Hyattsville

Page 8 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

Spring BreakCamp EscapeApril 2nd - 6thEarly registration opens January 17 for City of Hyattsville resi-dents. General registration begins February 8 for all. Camp Escape offers a fun-filled Spring Break week for kids ages 5-9 and 10-13. Camp takes place at the City of Hyattsville’s Magruder Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton Street. Our staff strives to foster creativity and confidence in each camper.

For hours, fees, and registration information, please call 301-985-5020

or visit http://www.hyattsville.org/camps

Campers will enjoy:• Games • Sports• Arts & Crafts • Eco-themed activities

Curious to see which homes were deemed most festive in this year’s

Claus ApplauseJudging takes place on Wednesday, December 14. Check the City’s website or the green edition of the Hyattsville Reporter, mailed to homes the week of December 19, for a complete list.

http://www.hyattsville.org/applause

Awards?

COMMUNITY CALENDARThrough January 1The 25th Annual Winter Festival of Lights is a drive-through display featur-ing over a million twinkling lights along 2.5 miles. Financial donations for county charities will be accepted at the gate. $5 per car or van for a single visit; $10 for a multi-visit pass. Free on December 25. 5 to 9:30 p.m. daily until January 1. Wat-kins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. 301.699.2456.

Beginning January 6 Calling all parents! Today marks the start of the spring semester for the Parent and Child Program, where there will be playtime, crafts, and other structured activities for your preschoolers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $50 per semester for one child, $75 per se-mester for 2 children. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Magruder Park Recreation Center, Magruder Park.

Through January 9 Part of Gaylord National Resort’s Christmas on the Potomac program, ICE!,  will feature scenes from the Dreamworks movie “Merry Madagas-car,” created from two million pounds of ice. Tickets start at $25; discounts for children and seniors. Free for ages 3 and under. National Harbor, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor. Hours vary; for more information, visit

www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call 301.965.4000.

December 16What’s a better way of getting into the hol-iday spirit then making your own holiday-themed scrapbook? Having all the mate-rials provided for you. Join the Xtreme Teens for holiday scrapbooking - all you have to bring is your M-NCPPC Youth ID. Ages 10 to 17. Free w/ M-NCPPC Youth ID. 7 to 10 p.m. Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center, 6120 Sargent Road, Chillum. 301.853.2005.

December 17A close-up discussion at the Artist’s Talk

and Discussion with Tad Lapinski, a University of Maryland art professor, fea-tures an afternoon presentation that will provide a rare opportunity to hear from the artist amidst his own works. He recounts his inspirations and recollects decades of experience as an internationally acclaimed artist and educator. Free. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood. 301.277.2863. When was the last time you played laser tag? Well ready, set…join the Xtreme Teens for an evening of laser tag fun! Ages 10-17. $14. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prince George’s Plaza Community Center, 6600 Adelphi Road. 301.864.1611.

December 17 to 23The National Capital Trackers return with the annual Holiday, Trains, and Planes show, a display of miniature trains, villages, tunnels and depots. Free with museum admission. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park. 301.864.6029.

December 18Looking for a unique show to go to this winter? Then check out Part 2 of Aerial Works in Progress featuring students of Arachne Aerial Arts along with other regional artists. $12. 4 p.m. Joe’s Move-ment Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier. 301.699.1819.

Learn how to make your own gifts this year by signing up for a Glass Orna-ments class. Participants will learn how to blow colored glass ornaments as part of the Introduction to Glass series. No previous glass experience is required. Enroll online at www.dcglassworks.com. $165. 1 to 4 p.m. DC Glassworks, 5346 46th Avenue. 301.927.8271.

Through December 24Santa will be stopping through the Mall at Prince Georges this year and children can get their picture taken with him at the Center Court in front of Macy’s. $21

Stephen ClappArachne Aerial Arts will perform at Joe’s Movement Emporium on December 18.

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 9

Visit Hyattsville’s most unusual restaurant and enjoy our own microbrews on tap, fine wine and good food.

Franklins5123 Baltimore AveHyattsville, MD 20781301-927-2740

“Franklins is awesome!”–Pubcrawler.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Helping Sell HyattsvilleAnd our Neighboring Community

Salesperson, Long & Foster

Real Estate, Inc.

9094 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740cell: 240-938-6060 office: 301-441-9511 ext. 261

email: [email protected]

web: ANNBARRETT.LNFRE.COM

Ann Barrett, Realtor®

Honored As:Top Producing Agent

Long & Foster College Park2009 & 2010!

If you would like to discuss the market and/or how to prepare

your home for sale please call me!

6902 Calverton Drive, Hyattsville$374,900

Spacious with 4 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. 4 finished

levels includes 2 master suites, 3 fireplaces, living room,

large family room and an office. Gracious fenced rear yard with

french doors from the dining room that lead to the patio.

Gorgeous kitchen with sile stone counters, large island and bay

window. Nice Condition!

4111 Crittenden Street, Hyattsville$250,000

White picket fence, front porch, lovely brick paths, well planted garden and

gracious rooms sizes throughout. 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Unfinished, walk-up attic could be a master suite.

Near park/bikepath. Sold as-is.

FOR SALE

UNDER CONTRACT

Wishing all of Hyattsville a joyous holiday season!

and up for photo packages. Mon-day through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3500 East West Highway. 301.559.8844.

December 30Close out the year by stepping back in time with The Calverts by Candlelight, an evening of period music, seasonal deco-rations, and self-guided tours of the historic mansion where visitors can meet members of the Calvert household. $5; free for ages 12 and under. 6 to 9 p.m. Riversdale House Mu-seum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420.

January 7Bring your children to celebrate the Hispanic tradition of the Three Kings Day, which com-memorates the journey of the three wise men. Enjoy music, re-freshments and surprises! RSVP

by January 4 to receive a gift. Ages 1 to 10. Free. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bladensburg Community Center, 4500 57th Avenue, Blad-ensburg. 301.277.2124.

January 10 The Youth Choir and Vocet-ti will present their Winter Community Concert, fol-lowed by a reception. Free. 7:30 p.m. College Park Arts Exchange, Old Parish House, 4711 Knox Road. College Park. 301.927.3013.

January 14Dress up in your black-tie best for the Twelfth Night Ball. Cel-ebrate the end of the season at this regency-style ball at the Riv-ersdale Mansion, complete with dance lessons and live period music. Registration required by January 4. $30. 7:30 p.m. 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420.

Pressed for time?

Wash & Fold Drop OffFull Service • Same DayLaundry ServiceFree Pick Up & Delivery

American Mega Laundromat301-559-0707

MegaLaundromat.comAcross West Hyattsville Metro StationCorner of Ager Road & Hamilton St.Open 7 Days a Week 6 am to 11:30 pmWeekly & Monthly Laundry Service Plans Available

or do it yourself at

PIANO LESSONSChildren, Teenagers, Adults • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Jeanne Olexy, BM, MM 3916 Madison Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781

E-mail: [email protected]: 301-277-9529

Page 10 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

Fleisher’s Jewelers

FULL SERVICE JEWELERJewelry & Watch Repair • Engraving •Watch Batteries

Installed •Appraisals • Pearl RestringingMASONIC JEWELRY & REGALIA

3108 Queens Chapel RoadHyattsville, Maryland 20782 

301-699-5552Hours: M-F: 9:30 - 6:00Saturday: 9:00 - 5:00

Diamonds • Gold & Silver Jewelry • Watches and More

Celebrating 62 Years in Hyattsville

FREE ESTIMATES

Wishing all our friends & neighbors a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving.

It’s not too early think about the holidays. Start your Christmas shopping now

and use our convenient Layaway Plan. Special Orders are never a problem...

HYATTSVILLE VACUUM CLEANER SERVICEHome of

THE CLEANERS CORNERVacuum Cleaner Sales and Service

Sewing Machine RepairJanitorial Equipment and Supplies

Carpet Cleaning Equipment and Supplies5219 Baltimore Avenue • Hyattsville, Maryland 20781

Tel: 301-277-3553 • Fax: 301-277-7142e-mail: [email protected]

Chapel Way Cleanersyour friendly neighborhood dry cleanersWe have been in business since 1990, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with high-quality fabric care and personal service.

Our services include:• Hand-finished dry cleaning• Shirts laundered• Draperies• Leather and suede

• Wedding-gown preservation• Area rugs• Same-day service(Drop-off by 9:00am, Pick-up by 5:00pm)

3024 Hamilton Street Hyattsville 20782 Phone: 301-559-3232 Fax: 301-559-2632

http://[email protected]

BRING IN THIS AD AND GET

20% OFF!

www.theBigBadWoof.com

Arts District HyAttsville Mon-Sat 10-9 & Sun 10-6

5501 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781 301-403-8957

OlD tAkOmA M-F 10-8 & Sat–Sun 10-6 117 Carroll St. NW, DC

202-291-2404

Be in business for yourself. check out our Woof Franchises. call 202-747-3434

New Store!

Eat well, get the right toys & try howling!• Raw, premium and locally-produced dog, cat & small animal food• Eco-friendly supplies and supplements• Fair Trade & North American products

FrOm One OF Our custOmers On HOW tO Be HAppy...

which features a curved lip and is � ve feet at its highest point.

� ree vertical slabs of concrete next to it will become a mosaic depicting native shad and her-ring, a nod to the � sh ladder just beyond. Mount Rainier artist Valerie � eberge, who has done several public art projects, expects to complete the glass-tiled mural installation by mid-December.

A� er that, said M-NCPPC land-scape architect Chris Colvin, work on the basketball half-court should begin. Previously, there had been a full court at the park, as well as an adjacent soccer � eld.

A summer 2008 survey con-cluded that a half-court would “accommodate most [basketball] use that occurs.”

In 2009, the city used a state grant to upgrade the soccer facili-ties, purchasing new equipment and bleachers and adding a pe-destrian bridge.

Contractors began installing the skate park in early October and had until December 9 to � nish. A� er the half-court is completed, said Colvin, landscapers will add a bioretention area, shade trees and � ower beds. � e trail, which used to run behind the basketball court, will be realigned closer to the street.

Eventually, that trail will be con-

SKATEcontinued from page 1 nected to the neighborhood with

the Melrose Access Trail, which is planned to run from the ser-vice entrance at 41st Place up to Cri� enden Street.

So far, county o� cials haven’t pinpointed an opening date. Based on normal projected con-

struction schedules, said Colvin, the park would open in March “as long as the weather holds” and the asphalt companies stay open.

“It’s been so mild. � is time last year there was snow on the ground,” he recalled. “We had

to shut down construction on a couple projects for months, wait-ing for asphalt.”

It’s the fourth skate park in the county, with others in Bowie, Greenbelt and Mount Rainier. Soon to come are ones in Col-lege Park and Clinton.

A CHILDREN’S CRUSADE� e boy who � rst proposed the skate park during a presentation before the Hya� sville City Council in 2003 has long since moved � om the area. We tracked him down to tell him that the idea was � nally a reality, and here’s what he had to say in an e-mail.

I can’t tell you how hilarious and awesome it is you guys are � nally ge� ing a skate park. I’d long forgot-ten about it, but it made my day. Here’s the Spark Notes about how that came about:

Our group of friends skateboarded a lot in 6th and 7th grade. We never really had a place to skate and had to drive over to the Bay Bridge or Bowie for the nearest ramps. Several times we were kicked out of the Justice Center, “Tiny Park” (at the bo� om of 42nd place) and St. Jerome’s school lots for skating.

Our English teacher [at St. Jerome’s], Ms. Volpini, assigned us homework to write a le� er to our City Council representative, so my Dad [ Jerry Powers] suggested we ask for a skate park. I wrote it and Ms. Volpini suggested I send it in, so we passed it around school and got 50-some signatures.

Lots of kids just signed it who had never even skated; they just thought it was cool, which was great. A few months later, we heard back they might actually do it.

� ey had a budget meeting out at the P.G. County courthouse and the skate park was an option for the money, so about seven of us wore our pads and helmets and carried our boards in and sat through the whole thing. It was hilarious — lots of awkward stares.

Congrats! � at’s great that [Hya� sville] kids will � nally have a park. Tim Powers

WILLIAM JENNEThomas Roszkowski of Silver Spring coaches his son Grey (3) at the Melrose Skate Park.

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 11

University Town Center • Next to PG Plaza 6504 America Blvd. #105 Hyattsville, MD 301-887-1818

OLD DOMINION BREWHOUSE & RESTAURANT

University Town Center • Next to PG Plaza University Town Center • Next to PG Plaza 301-887-1818301-887-1818301-887-1818301-887-1818301-887-1818301-887-1818301-887-1818

Daily Happy Hour Specials Mon. - Sat.

4-7 pmAppetizers

as low as $2.00

Come enjoy all the games on our 25

HDTVs!

Karaoke every Wednesday

night!

china buffetchina buffetchina buffetall you can eat

Shrimp • Snow Crab Legs • Sushi Salmon • Mussels • Fish • Salad

Fruit Salad • Seafood • Soup • General Tso’s Chicken • Seafood Delight • Ice Cream • Cake • And MUCH MORE!

University Town Center, across from Royal 14 Theaters 6504 America Blvd. #105 Hyattsville, MD 301-887-1991

�1�5�%��O�F�F�E�n�t�i�r�e��D�i�n�n�e�r��C�h�e�c�k

�(�M�i�n�.��$�2�0�)�V�a�l�i�d��o�n�l�y��a�t��O�l�d��D�o�m�i�n�i�o�n��B�r�e�w�h�o�u�s�e�.���D�i�s�c�o�u�n�t��d�o�e�s��n�o�t��a�p�p�l�y��t�o��d�a�i�l�y��s�p�e�c�i�a�l�s��o�r��h�a�p�p�y��h�o�u�r�.���C�o�u�p�o�n��m�a�y��n�o�t��b�e��c�o�m�b�i�n�e�d�

�w�i�t�h��a�n�y��o�t�h�e�r��o�f�f�e�r�.���E�x�p�i�r�e�s��1�2�/�3�1�/�2�0�1�1

�1�5�%��O�F�F�E�n�t�i�r�e��D�i�n�n�e�r��C�h�e�c�k

�(�M�i�n�.��$�1�5�)�C�o�u�p�o�n��v�a�l�i�d��o�n�l�y��a�t��T�o�k�y�o��S�u�s�h�i��a�n�d�

�C�h�i�n�a��B�u�f�f�e�t�.��C�o�u�p�o�n��m�a�y��n�o�t��b�e��c�o�m�b�i�n�e�d��w�i�t�h��a�n�y��o�t�h�e�r��o�f�f�e�r�.���E�x�p�i�r�e�s��1�2�/�3�1�/�2�0�1�1

Dr. Mark H. Sugar and the Belcrest Surgery Center

practicing podiatry in Hyattsville since 1975Are you experiencing heel pain, bunions, ingrown toenails, hammertoes, fungus toenails or any conditions associated with arthritis, tendonitis, nerve or circula-tion disorders or sport-exercise injuries? We treat any and all foot problems both conservatively and surgically. Our hours are flexible and we accept most insurance plans. Feel free to contact us for any questions or information. The Belcrest Surgery Center is fully accredited and certi-fied and offers convenient and comfortable treatment for out-patient foot surgery.

6505 Belcrest Road, Suite One Hyattsville, 301-699-5900

was Santa and the kids were elves,” explained Frazier, a Ward 5 coun-cilmember since 1997. “It was priceless; I wouldn’t change those memories for anything.”

After his death in 2002, Hyattsville police Sergeant Suzie Johnson and her family stepped in to continue and expand the program, moving the party to a larger space and add-ing donation spots around town. In the weeks before the party, boxes at the local Safeway, Magruder Park and the municipal building slowly fill with new, unwrapped toys.

Frazier’s break from the event soon ended, and now it remains largely a family affair, with her daughter and grandchildren helping along with a group of committed volunteers.

“Granddad always made Christ-mas special for us,” said grandson Eddie Beall. “This is our way of con-tinuing that for others.”

The group usually meets in Oc-tober to start soliciting donations, rounding up toys, and compiling a list of children to receive them. They get children’s names from schools, the police and fire departments and code-enforcement officers.

Frazier says that the number of toys collected is usually “well over 500, but this year it will be more because of the [Hyattsville Heroes Bowl] game.”

That charity event, held Decem-ber 3 at Magruder Park, pitted the city police against the fire depart-ment volunteers in a flag football game. Spectators were asked to bring either a small cash donation or an unwrapped toy. The final tally, said Beall, was $1,624.

The Hyattsville City Council had voted to match those donations up to $1,000, and also to increase its an-nual donation to $500. Donations come from others in the commu-nity too, with groups ranging from Outback Steakhouse to local parents spearheading toy collection efforts.

Frazier appreciates all the local support. “It’s not one person, it’s not 15 persons, it’s just the community,” she said. “The community comes together, each in their own little way, and makes it possible.”

Now, the Sonny Frazier Toy Drive reaches more Hyattsville children than ever. “What started with may-be 5, 6, or 7 children is now about 100,” Frazier said.

The toy drive culminates in a party for the families, complete with DJ (Ruth Ann’s grandson Clint Beall), lunch and even Santa himself, in the same suit that Sonny wore for all those years. Parents may choose up to five toys per child.

The party is one of Frazier’s favor-ite moments of the toy drive. “I’m a people person and what I get the most enjoyment out of is … just watching the people and seeing their reactions.”

toys continued from page 1

The holiday season tends to bring out people’s de-sire to lend a helping hand to others. Here are some ways you can volunteer around the city, both now and throughout the year.

St. Jerome’s Café provides hot meals to the needy every Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers prepare, cook, deliver and serve the lunch at St. Jerome Church, 5205 43rd Avenue. Donations of food are also welcome. If you are interested in cooking, serving or donating, please contact Terry Enfield at 301.864.9260.

Community Place Café at First United Meth-odist Church serves lunches every weekday but Thursday from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. 6201 Bel-crest Road. Contact Deborah Commodore at 301.927.6133 after 1 p.m. on weekdays.

The Sonny Frazier Holiday Toy Drive is ac-cepting volunteers for its annual party, on De-cember 17. Volunteers help with party activities and watch children while their parents go pick out gifts for them. High school students needing service hours are welcome! To volunteer or do-nate, contact Ruth Ann Frazier at 301.779.5428.

Community Forklift could be considered a thrift-store version of Home Depot, except that volunteers can earn $5 per hour in store credit. Donations of building materials such as furniture, tools and cabinets are accepted on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4671 Tanglewood Drive, Edmonston. 301.985.5180.

GLUT Food Coop is a worker-managed cooperative that gives volunteers $6.15 in store credit per hour. There are three shifts a

day, seven days a week. To sign up and find out what shifts are available for the week, call Glut at 301.779.1978 starting at 9 a.m. on Sundays. 4005 34th Street, Mt. Rainier.

Eco City Farms welcomes volunteers every Sat-urday to pitch in at this community farm, and learn about urban farming in the process. For more information and to sign up, email [email protected]. 4913 Crittenden Street, Edmonston. 301.288.1125.

For years, Milton and Linda McGehee deliv-ered care packages to Walter Reed Hospital. Then, he said, “I found out that you can buy a box at the post office for $12.50 and send it any-where in the world,” he says. “You can put in snack food and toiletries and magazines.” Now, the couple mails care packages to service mem-bers in the U.S. and overseas, and invites others to do the same. For more information, call him at 301.559.0864.

The local chapter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal and charitable organi-zation, just celebrated its 114th birthday. It do-nates food and money to St. Jerome’s Café and is always looking for new members, says group treasurer Douglas Thompson. Contact him for details at 301.699.0440.

The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program in Prince George’s County offers a variety of oppor-tunities for people 55 and up to put their skills and services to work in the community. They can mentor and tutor students, help seniors in computer use, assist with natural disasters, help in nursing homes and more. Call 301.265.8450 for information.

— Scarlett Salem

LEND A HELPING HAND

Page 12 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

Eleanor Pernia Studio of Dance

est. 1962

www.eleanorperniadance.com

301-937-423010434 Baltimore Ave • Beltsville, MD 20705

Dance classes for all agesRegister For

Classes Now!Preschool Dance • Tap • Ballet • Hip-Hop • Modern •

BallroomSmall class

sizes -Ages 3 & up

CLASSIC CARDIOLOGYWe fix broken hearts!

RAYMON K. NELSON, M.D. ABIM BOARD CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGY & INTERNAL MEDICINE 6525 BELCREST ROAD, SUITE 220HYATTSVILLE, MD 20782 (across from PG PLAZA)OFFICE : 301-779-7525 FAX: 301-779-4997MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED

www.classiccardiology.com

CARDIOVASCULAR EVALUATIONS INTERNAL MEDICINE EVALUATIONS HYPERTENSION DIABETES MELLITUSPRE-OP CONSULTATIONS NUCLEAR STRESS TESTING ECHOCARDIOGRAMSVENOUS SONOGRAMS CAROTID DOPPLERS ARTERIAL DOPPLERS BLOOD SCREENINGS

PACEMAKER ANALYSIS HOLTER MONITORING CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGBLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS CARDIAC CATHERIZATIONSHEMO DYNAMIC MONITORING PULSE OXIMETRYYEARLY PHYSICAL EXAMS PATIENT HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES SPIROMETRY

SERVICES WE OFFER:

PROVERBS 4:23– ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR IT IS THE WELLSPRING OF LIFE.

encourage people to walk. No. Our community has no place to walk to. Where would I walk? Many of us do walk, but we walk on our own streets in what we think is a rural setting. There are no sidewalks and we enjoy that.”

University Hills has about 350 households, according its coun-cilmember, Tim Hunt (Ward 3). About 80 people turned out for a

November 3 public meeting at St. Mark’s Church. Most public meet-ings draw about 20 people, said city spokesperson Abby Sandel.

Almost all the people at the meet-ing spoke strongly against the pro-posed roadwork. Many shared the sentiments of Gary Orndorff, who said, “It has worked this way since 1950. Repair the streets and leave it alone!”

But Ron Pedone, president of the University Hills Area Civic Association, pointed out that the meeting may have just brought out vocal opponents.

“The impression was that every-one’s opposed. It’s a false assump-tion. I’m sure a lot of people sup-port introducing sidewalks.” He said he has no position yet.

All the neighborhood’s residents were asked to provide more de-tailed feedback to the city in a survey. About 45 households did so and most of them also had com-plaints about the plan.

Many people wanted to keep the rural feel of the neighborhood, which they said sidewalks would ruin. Others said most of the streets are not through streets and don’t have many pedestrians, so they don’t need sidewalks.

One common complaint was that installing sidewalks would narrow the streets, which would make driving on them dangerous and would eliminate needed on-street parking. Some people wor-ried about removing trees; others did not want the responsibility of shoveling snow from the side-walks.

Several people said that each block should be able to decide for itself. To that end, residents of five blocks [as of press time] have submitted petitions signed by a majority of the homeowners to stop sidewalk installation on their

streets. Hunt said, “There are a whole

lot of what-ifs in this plan. What’s important to me is that people who live here take the ball and run with it and tell the city what they want.”

Pedone is pleased with the way the city has been managing the process.

“The city has bent over back-wards to listen to residents. They’ve been wonderful to us here. I think they thought they were providing us with a dyna-mite long-range plan to improve the neighborhood and move all of Hyattsville to a sustainable green environment.”

Menasian expressed a more cautious viewpoint. “We’ll very clearly and loudly make our feel-ings heard. After we make our feelings heard, we can tell you if the city’s responsive. I hope it is. I feel fine with this [report] as a first proposal. Residents don’t want a generic decision made for University Hills.”

Resident Tom Slezak believes the city has done a great job in seeking input from everyone and is impressed with the report, say-ing that it just needs some modi-fications here and there to satisfy residents.

He pointed out that everyone he has talked with agrees the streets are in bad shape and wants them repaired.

And he isn’t against all side-walks; in fact, he’d like one on his own street, Stanford.

“It’s a pedestrian safety issue for me,” he said. “Stanford can be very busy.”

He added that as part of Hyatts-ville’s 2006 annexation of Uni-versity Hills, residents were told “we were going to get new streets here. Street repairs and now side-walks is sort of like going out for your usual beer and the bartend-er surprises you with a martini. Either you’re pleased or you’re not.”

sidewalks continued from page 1Loving Care Pediatrics

Janet V. Johnson, MD6525 Belcrest Road Suite #203Hyattsville, Maryland 20783

Tel: 301-403-8808Fax: 301-403-1341

School Physicals • Immunizations • Sport Physicals • Minor Emergency Care • Ear Piercing • Urgent/Sick

Child Visit • CPR/First Aid ClassM-F 9 - 6 p.m. • Evening & Saturday hours by appointment

Same day appointment available*Most Insurance Accepted*

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011 Page 13

Jumpin’ JukeboxParent & Child Dance PartySaturday, February 18, 20125:00 - 7:00 p.m.City Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street

We’ll have a rockin’ good time! Kid friendly music, RefreshmentsTickets: $5.00 per guest

Reservations required: City of Hyattsville, Department of Recreation and the Arts. Call 301-985-5020 or visit www.hyattsville.org/jukebox

Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the evening.

community performing arts center

Exciting Arts Education Experiences for Youth

Youth Classes at Joe’s Movement Emporium begin January 9, 2012. Register before December 31st to receive a 10% discount on the entire semester. Club Joe’s is now accepting registration for the 2012 school year. Register your child today for our arts based after- school education program.

Don’t forget that Joe’s offers over 20 ongoing classes including Yoga, Zumba and even a Free Hip Hop class on Mondays.

Visit www.joesmovement.org for more information on Classes or Performances.

Located at 3309 Bunker Hill Road, right off of 34th Street in historic Mount Rainier, MD

ALL YOGA CLASSES $5

www.joesmovement.org301-699-1819

Seasons Greetings from everyone at

Train Printing

Open: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 4547 Rhode Island Avenue

Brentwood, Maryland 20722

301-864-5552 • Fax 301-864-0740 e: [email protected] www.trainprinting.com

Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Holiday Season!

�T�i�g�e�r� �L�i�l�l�y� �F�l�o�r�i�s�t� �&� �T�h�e� �B�a�s�k�e�t� �G�o�u�r�m�e�t� �S�h�o�p

Full Service Florist • Gift Baskets • Balloon Decorations • Gifts

�3�0�1�-�6�9�9�-�8�3�1�25101 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781

www.basketgourmetfl orist.com • Local & Worldwide Delivery

10% OFF In-Store Purchase Exp 12/31/2011

FOOTBALL HEROES

bob stevensThe first Hyattsville Heroes Bowl game pitted the Bravest (firefighters, in yellow) against the Finest (police officers, in blue). The event raised more than $1,600 for the Sonny Frazier Toy Drive.

Page 14 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2011

CallLARRY PERRINLARRY PERRIN PROPERTIES“THE” Hyattsville Realtor     since 1977

301.983.0601 • 301.220.2229If your home is currently listed by another Realtor ®, please disregard this offer. It is not my intention to solicit the offerings of other brokers.If your home is currently listed by another Realtor ®, please disregard this offer. It is not my intention to solicit the offerings of other brokers.

Selling Your Home?  Free Home Value Estimate!

Realtor

LARRY’S LISTINGS:SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD SOLD:11707 Pine Street $229,9955401 37th Avenue $199,995

FOR SALE:400 Parkwood Street $199,9952414 Lewisdale Drive $199,9954111 29th Street  $339,9959117 49th Place $199,9953105 Webster Street  $299,0003817 Newark Street  $180,000

3720 Jackson $280,0009741 52nd Avenue $187,936Chelsea Woods Condominium1 Bedroom - Investor’s Delight! $39,995Greenbriar Condominium2 and 3 Bedrooms From $101,500Hunting Ridge Condominium1 and 2 Bedrooms From $62,995

�®

�®

�®

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!FROM LARRY PERRINCall Larry Perrin, Realtor301.983.0601to Buy and Sell Hyattsville Area Homes!

�®