December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

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H ya tt svi ll e DECEMBER 2014 Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper Vol. 11 No. 12 Life&Times VOTING AGE DEBATE Should 16 and 17-year olds be able to vote in city elections? Hyattsville councilmembers are discussing next steps. PAGE 2 Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781 NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID EASTON MD PERMIT NO. 43 Included: The December 10, 2014 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section FACILITIES continued on page 12 LIGHTS OUT! Broken lights mean one city street is dark. Prince George’s County says it is working to resolve the issue. READ MORE ON PAGE 3 NETWORKING It all began at a bus stop. Now, residents gather on a month- ly basis to meet other locals with unique skills. PAGE 4 ROCK continued on page 13 by Andrew Marder On Nov. 3, Assistant City Ad- ministrator Jim Chandler pre- sented a proposal on the city’s facilities to the Hyasville City Council. e plan, based on the results of a 2011 study, recom- mends shiſting some of the city’s departments to underutilized spaces, making improvements to existing locations, and put- ting some buildings up for sale or lease. e proposal covers five proper- ties — the Magruder Park recre- ational building, the Hyasville Municipal Building (4310 Galla- tin Street), former BB&T build- ing (3505 Hamilton Street), the Arcade Building (4318 Gallatin Street), and the Department of Public Works operations yard. e cost of the program is esti- mated at $9.8 million over the next 20 years. Based on the 2011 study, Chan- dler said the city is projecting a short-term need of 54,547 square feet of office space. e city’s cur- rent setup only allows for 33,326 square feet of space, which leaves a shortfall of over 21,000 square feet, according to the facilities presentation. Long-term, the by Scarlett Salem ough the visual arts receive a lot of aention in the Arts Dis- trict, music is poised to launch into the area’s spotlight. Local alternative music boutique Just Rock Enterprises ( JRE) is lead- ing the charge. Now headquartered out of their 2nd floor studio on Far- ragut Street in Hyasville, JRE was founded in 2010 by the store’s current president, She- lita Wright, aſter she moved to the Washington, D.C., area from New York City. Wright, a singer and performing artist with re- cording and off-Broadway expe- rience, said she ran the business by herself for a year before bring- ing in other instructors in 2011 to teach piano and guitar. e business is rapidly expand- ing: along with their Hyasville space, JRE also has satellite stu- dios (or spaces they rent) in Houston, Dallas, and New York City, all set up through what Wright aributes to her relation- ships and connections. Today, about five instructors work out of their Farragut Street space, with New arts incubator space mixes music, visual arts Facilities assessment may fill two needs with one deed by Rebecca Bennett Cement barriers are already up in multiple stretches of what the Maryland State High- way Administration (SHA) is calling a $10.6 million “streetscape” project along Queens Chapel Road (MD 500). “Currently, 23,550 vehicles travel this sec- tion of Queens Chapel Road each day, with traffic projected to increase to 31,200 vehi- cles per day by 2030,” SHA said in a Novem- ber press release. In the Community Safety and Enhance- ment Project, which spans Queens Chapel Road between Hamilton Street and East West Highway, SHA promises a number of improvements to address vehicle traffic and pedestrian safety. SHA said the project will convert the existing painted strips into grassy medians with landscaping. Pedestrian safety enhancements will include sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, as well as the installation of audible pedestrian signals. ere will be an estimated $343,000 spent on lighting improvements, and bike lanes are to be installed outside of the traffic lanes, which is in accordance with SHA’s Pol- icy for Accommodating Bicycles and Pedestrians Traffic, pedestrian improvements coming to Queens Chapel Road QUEENS CHAPEL continued on page 12 REBECCA BENNETT Just Rock Enterprises just moved to Farragut Street with more space to provide music lessons and rent offices to artists of various mediums.

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Improvements coming to Queens Chapel Rd.; City of Hyattsville mulling new facilities; new arts incubator Just Rock Enterprises; Council considers lowering voting age; city streetlighting needs considered; Hyattsville Professional Networking Group; Big Bad Woof adds delivery; Imke Ahlf-Wien profiled; new home for Dora Kennedy K-8 French Immersion School;

Transcript of December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 1: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

HyattsvilleDECEMBER 2014Hyattsville’s Community NewspaperVol. 11 No. 12

Life&Times

VOTING AGE DEBATEShould 16 and 17-year olds be able to vote in city elections? Hyattsville councilmembers are discussing next steps. PAGE 2

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Included: The December 10, 2014 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section

FACILITIES continued on page 12

LIGHTS OUT!Broken lights mean one city street is dark. Prince George’s County says it is working to resolve the issue. READ MORE ON PAGE 3

NETWORKINGIt all began at a bus stop. Now, residents gather on a month-ly basis to meet other locals with unique skills. PAGE 4

ROCK continued on page 13

by Andrew Marder

On Nov. 3, Assistant City Ad-ministrator Jim Chandler pre-sented a proposal on the city’s facilities to the Hya� sville City Council. � e plan, based on the results of a 2011 study, recom-mends shi� ing some of the city’s departments to underutilized spaces, making improvements to existing locations, and put-ting some buildings up for sale or lease.

� e proposal covers � ve proper-ties — the Magruder Park recre-ational building, the Hya� sville Municipal Building (4310 Galla-tin Street), former BB&T build-ing (3505 Hamilton Street), the Arcade Building (4318 Gallatin Street), and the Department of Public Works operations yard. � e cost of the program is esti-mated at $9.8 million over the next 20 years.

Based on the 2011 study, Chan-dler said the city is projecting a short-term need of 54,547 square feet of o� ce space. � e city’s cur-rent setup only allows for 33,326 square feet of space, which leaves a shortfall of over 21,000 square feet, according to the facilities presentation. Long-term, the

by Scarlett Salem

� ough the visual arts receive a lot of a� ention in the Arts Dis-trict, music is poised to launch into the area’s spotlight. Local alternative music boutique Just Rock Enterprises ( JRE) is lead-ing the charge.

Now headquartered out of their 2nd � oor studio on Far-ragut Street in Hya� sville, JRE was founded in 2010 by the store’s current president, She-lita Wright, a� er she moved to the Washington, D.C., area from New York City. Wright, a singer and performing artist with re-cording and o� -Broadway expe-rience, said she ran the business by herself for a year before bring-ing in other instructors in 2011 to teach piano and guitar.

� e business is rapidly expand-ing: along with their Hya� sville space, JRE also has satellite stu-dios (or spaces they rent) in Houston, Dallas, and New York City, all set up through what Wright a� ributes to her relation-ships and connections. Today, about � ve instructors work out of their Farragut Street space, with

New arts incubator space mixes music, visual arts

Facilities assessment may � ll two needs with one deed

by Rebecca Bennett

Cement barriers are already up in multiple stretches of what the Maryland State High-way Administration (SHA) is calling a $10.6 million “streetscape” project along Queens Chapel Road (MD 500).

“Currently, 23,550 vehicles travel this sec-tion of Queens Chapel Road each day, with tra� c projected to increase to 31,200 vehi-

cles per day by 2030,” SHA said in a Novem-ber press release.

In the Community Safety and Enhance-ment Project, which spans Queens Chapel Road between Hamilton Street and East West Highway, SHA promises a number of improvements to address vehicle tra� c and pedestrian safety. SHA said the project will convert the existing painted strips into grassy medians with landscaping.

Pedestrian safety enhancements will include sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, as well as the installation of audible pedestrian signals. � ere will be an estimated $343,000 spent on lighting improvements, and bike lanes are to be installed outside of the tra� c lanes, which is in accordance with SHA’s Pol-icy for Accommodating Bicycles and Pedestrians

Tra� c, pedestrian improvements coming to Queens Chapel Road

QUEENS CHAPEL continued on page 12

REBECCA BENNETTJust Rock Enterprises just moved to Farragut Street with more space to provide music lessons and rent offices to artists of various mediums.

Page 2: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 2 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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

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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]

ProductionAshley Perks

Editor and Web ManagerRebecca Bennett

Digital Archives Manager Susie Currie

[email protected]

Copy EditorsSean Bennett, Kate Davison

[email protected]

301.531.5234Writers & Contributors

Gretchen Brodtman, Katy June-Friesen, 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 Caroline Selle

When Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot stopped by in early December to tour some of Hya� sville’s small businesses, he said something I just couldn’t get out of my head.

“I’m a proud resident of Ta-koma Park,” he told me, “but we seem to always be copying Hya� sville.” Takoma Park, he pointed out, is about to get it’s own Busboys and Poets, and it still doesn’t have a brewery like Franklins.

His comment got me think-ing. I’ve lived in both cities, and when I re� ect on them, I tend to think about each of their unique charms. It’s all about the small businesses — the unique store-fronts, the counters manned by friendly neighborhood faces, the carefully sourced and frequently handmade goods one can’t � nd anywhere else.

We’ve pro� led many of the city’s small businesses in these pages, and in the coming months we hope to highlight many more. Meanwhile, I’m about to start my holiday shopping. And in the interest of supporting my town and my neighbors, I’m making an almost-New-Year’s resolution to shop local for the rest of the season. (Come Jan. 1, feel free to check back in. I have a feeling it’s also going to be a resolution for the new year.)

Will you join me? While, yes, there are some things that can’t be purchased within the city limits, in Hyattsville we boast enough different stores to find something for everyone. With our walkable streets, it’s easy to stop in and chat with the store owners. Many of us fre-quent the Arts District; why not branch out and walk down Hamilton Street? Or check out one of the community-run

listservs: quite a few locals sell handmade items out of their homes.

� ere are many bene� ts to stay-ing near home for purchases. For one, more of the money spent stays in the community. Accord-ing to an article in U.S. News and World Report, “Shopping at lo-cally owned establishments can leverage community funds times three, on average. For example, by supporting a local clothing

boutique, a consumer is also sup-porting a local a� orney, tax pre-parer, and printer.”

I’ve thought of one more benefit. No shipping! While Amazon Prime rescues me on a frequent basis, when it comes to holiday gifts, I have enough time to spend a Saturday after-noon popping in and out of lo-cal storefronts.

Let’s celebrate the holidays near home.

Staying local for the holidays Speaking of which...

� e holiday season is always hectic, and over here at the Hya� sville Life & Times, it’s no di� erent! Who knew one small town could hold so many dif-ferent end-of-season events?

As the local media, we want to a� end each and every one, but unfortunately for us — and fortunately for the com-munity — there are too many to cover in person.

Our editor and web manager, Rebecca Benne� , has been busy pulling together a comprehensive calendar of all of the local events, featuring everything from small businesses’ sales to community performances. Family movie night, the Hya� sville Volunteer Fire Department’s Santa Run, the Claus Applause decorating contest … well, you get the pic-ture. � ere are too many to name here, so head on over to www.Hya� svilleLife.com and search “activity” for the full list. (Don’t see your event? Email us: tips@hya� svillelife.com.)

Still, we could use your help. Have a great photo you’d like to see featured? Want to write up a blurb about your local church’s food drive? Send it on over. We’re always looking for writers and photographers, be-cause it’s your input that makes the paper a true source of com-munity news.

REBECCA BENNETTCarolers spread holiday cheer at annual Hyattsville Christmas tree light-ing in Magruder Park on Dec. 5.

By Rebecca Bennett

At the Dec. 1 Hya� sville City Council meet-ing, councilmembers continued a discussion on whether the city should lower the voting age to include 16 and 17-year-olds.

� e amendment’s sponsor, Councilmember Patrick Pascall (Ward 3), made several argu-ments in favor of lowering the city’s voting age. “I think we should be listening to the residents who are driving cars on our streets when we have jurisdiction over roads. Who are victims of crime, just like 18 and older folks, and accessing police services.”

Paschall also provided information to the council as to voter turnout among 16 and 17-year-olds in some other jurisdictions, as well as studies on the ability of youth to make quality decisions.

“[� e 2012 Austrian study] found that their 16 and 17-year-olds were casting level of com-petence votes similar to 18-year-olds, and in some cases, more competent,” Paschall said.

Councilmember Shani Warner (Ward 2) said, “[� ere are] 16-year-olds in our commu-nity who [are] capable of engaging in this pro-cess with as much seriousness and thoughtful-

ness as any of us would have hoped for.”“Unlike many of the concerns we talk about that

have an impact for a year or a week, this is really a transformation of our culture,” Warner said.

Councilmember Robert Croslin (Ward 2) said he wanted the issue added as a referen-dum on an upcoming ballot. “I want for ev-eryone to have the opportunity to weigh in,” he said, citing concern with the level of par-ticipation at public hearings.

“When you are talking about changing the body of the electorate, I think that is a deci-sion that does belong in the hands of the elec-torate,” Councilmember Tim Hunt (Ward 3) said in favor of a voting age referendum.

Council President Candace Hollingsworth (Ward 1) said she supports lowering the vot-ing age, but doesn’t see the harm in pu� ing it on the ballot.

“Students said to me, What di� erence does it make if we understand this stu� , we can’t even vote?” said Bill Bystricky, a former high school government teacher. “Of course, I knew that a few years later, the same individuals would be saying, Why should I vote, when I can’t really un-derstand this stu� ?”

“Ge� ing them involved at younger ages will

help establish a lifetime of civic engagement,” res-ident Shannon Wyss said in a statement in sup-port of lowering the voting age, which was read by a councilmember.

“For those who are concerned teenagers are too immature to vote, I would like to pose that we adults don’t exactly have a great track record,” Wyss wrote, arguing that some adults use campaign signs, ads, and party a� liation to make decisions at the polls. “Surely, a teen-ager cannot do any worse than that.”

A 37th Avenue resident said he supported the measure being added to the ballot, even though he was opposed to it. “I think 16 and 17-year-olds are already a part of the process. � ey can lobby their parents. � ey do that, and they do it quite well.”

Mayor Marc Tartaro con� rmed with City Clerk Laura Reams that the council must decide to put the referendum on the ballot at least 120 days before the upcoming May election. First, eight councilmembers must vote in favor of a referendum resolution by the Jan. 5 council meeting.

� e council voted to schedule a public hearing on this topic for Jan. 5 at 7:45 p.m. at the Hya� s-ville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street.

Council discusses voting age, may look to voters

Page 3: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 3

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By Rebecca Bennett

The Prince George’s County De-partment of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) said they are working to resolve issues with street lamps on Belcrest Road between Adelphi Road and the Mall at Prince Georges.

“A major challenge with the high voltage lighting system is that it is old and requires break-ers to be fixed and the under-ground wiring to be rewired each time a light is hit or goes out,” a DPW&T spokesperson said. “Another issue is that the lights are wired in series so if one light in the series is broken or out, the others are affected.”

This issue was also highlighted at the Nov. 18 Hyattsville City Planning Committee meeting, where the Belcrest Road light-ing problem was compared to Christmas lights: when one light goes out, they all go out.

Councilmember Tim Hunt (Ward 3) said quite a few of the lights were out on Belcrest Road in September, but the county al-legedly had most of them work-ing in October.

“Then all the lights went dark,” Hunt said. “The main issue is I don’t think the county is taking the issue seriously enough.”

DPW&T said they have been making repairs as lights have gone out, but a long term fix is more complicated. New poles and light fixtures need to be installed, DPW&T said, which will need to be further away from the curb.

A department spokesperson said, “We will continue to moni-tor and repair the lighting system until a permanent solution is implemented.”

“I use Belcrest Road regularly, mostly to bike to the library or to the Metro station. I’m glad the lights are back on one side of the

City lighting: a continuous work in progress

road, and look forward to seeing them on the other side,” Hyatts-ville resident David Inouye said.

Several bodies are responsible for maintaining street lights in the City of Hyattsville. City staff said Hyattsville only maintains approximately 10 percent of the street lights in the city.

“Pepco maintains the majority of lights in the City, and usually fixes them within a few days of a report. The County fixes broken lights as they can,” a city spokes-person said.

There are several future light-ing projects being discussed.

The city is currently conducting a lighting study in West Hyatts-ville, and the city said it is ac-cepting proposals for lighting in Hyatt Park. The county is ex-ploring lighting upgrades where Ager Road, Hamilton Road and Queens Chapel Road come to-gether, according to city staff.

Although new development may indicate progress, Univer-sity Hills resident Emily Palus remains cautious and skeptical, “because it doesn’t appear that it will be maintained.”

But not everyone thinks more light is necessarily the best solution.

“The idea that more light always results in better safety and secu-rity is a myth,” the International Dark Sky Association said in its guidelines for small communi-ties, urban neighborhoods, and subdivisions. “One needs only the right amount of light, in the right place, at the right time. More light often means wasted light and energy.”

When preserving the night sky was brought up at the Nov. 18 city planning meeting, William Washburn of the Maryland-Na-tional Capital Parks and Plan-ning Commission spoke about new considerations.

“There are modern specs for street lighting that require … the design to where the [light is] cut off and directed to the ground,” he said.

Along with ambient dark-sky lighting focused downward, “[lighting] can also be layered, to focus on lower levels,” a city spokesperson said. “This type of lighting illuminates less of the surrounding area, and pro-tects the privacy of and does not bother residents who may not want light coming in their win-dows all night.”

One Mayland county handles light pollution in a different way. Residents in Baltimore County can apply for shades on street lights near their homes and pay $150 each to have them installed, according to the county’s website.

As for the upcoming MD 500 lighting improvements, the City of Hyattsville said SHA’s plan includes an increased wattage where lighting engineers deter-mined it was needed.

“They will also add pedestrian lighting throughout the project area, but especially by Belcrest Road, East-West Highway and MD 500,” the city said.

caroline sellePrince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation said it is making repairs as lights go out on Belcrest Road and a permanent fix is planned.

Page 4: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 4 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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By Gretchen Brodtman

The idea for the Hyattsville Profes-sional Networking Group was born at the bus stop, according to the group’s founder, Julia Gaspar-Bates. She said she was talking to another parent while waiting for her daugh-ter’s school bus and was struck by how many people with interesting careers and businesses there were right in the neighborhood. She herself runs a consulting business, Intercultural Alliances, which pro-vides international, cross-cultural

training, project management, and global team building.

Thus the Hyattsville Professional Networking Group was formed. Members now meet the second Sunday of each month at the Hy-attsville Municipal Building on Gallatin Street. The meetings at-tract entrepreneurs and job seekers alike, with each meeting compris-ing a networking meet-and-greet session followed by a workshop or presentation by a different member of the group. Gaspar-Bates said she hopes to have presentations that

are interesting and beneficial to the community.

“There were so many groups [in the community] supporting each other. Why not provide a venue for people to branch out in [another professional] direction?” Gaspar-Bates said.

One of the group’s members, Hy-attsville resident of 12 years Jan Sanders, shared details of her career start in film and television. Back in 1992, Sanders said her husband Don was getting a masters in film at American University and Sand-

ers, who had been laid off from an arts job, was working on a “pay de-ferred” student film. Of these early projects, Sanders said, “[I] met the regulars [and] one job leads to an-other. I still work with guys I met on that first film. [I] have not had a business card since 1998.”

Sanders said she read Pat Miller’s book Script Supervising and Film Continuity and has been doing that work ever since. She also at-tended the prestigious Maine Me-dia Workshop in Rockport and was able to join the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Em-ployees, Moving Picture Techni-cians, Artists and Allied Crafts Union, which she said allowed her to work on major motion pictures and television. Sanders had the chance to work on Netflix’s House of Cards and HBO’s The Wire.

Sanders said she has great memo-ries of working with director Steven Frears and actress Judi Dench on the 2013 film Philomena. She also recalled trying days working on The Wire that entailed spending 15 to 17 hours in extreme high and low temperatures in some of Baltimore’s worst neighborhoods.

Another 12-year resident, Liberty Rucker, said she has been teaching violin and fiddle to children for ap-proximately 20 years. She had also been an avid hobby gardener for many of those years, and in 2011 she decided to go into a new career in landscape design.

According to Rucker, she complet-ed the George Washington Univer-sity Master’s Program in Landscape Design in 2013 and now has a newly formed landscaping busi-

Career connecting in Hyattsville

ness, Wonderland Garden Design. She said her company specializes in child-friendly gardens, and she is currently working on a plan for a school garden in Washington, D.C.

When Rucker gave a presenta-tion to the Hyattsville Professional Networking Group, she was excited about the potential for collaboration with other group members. “I was thrilled to meet a mosaic artist,” she said, “I am likely to need his expertise sometime in the future and it’s great to have a local contact for that skill.”

The Hyattsville Professional Net-working group will meet on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. in the Hyattsville Municipal Building. If you or anyone you know in Hyattsville has a busi-ness or is a professional who can be of service or interest to the community and would like to speak or present a workshop for group, please contact Julia Gaspar-Bates at 301.356.4230 or [email protected].

liberty ruckerA tree carved as a pagoda with a chainsaw located on 41st Ave-nue. Rucker said she consulted on this garden and made the sugges-tion to carve the tree trunk rather than remove it entirely.

Page 5: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 5

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by Jake Eisenberg and Marcel Warfi eld

At the Big Bad Woof pet store in Hya� s-ville, where dog bowls line the walls and the air is � lled with smooth jazz and the smell of puppies, visitors can shop for organic pet food and environmentally friendly pet toys. And since September, customers have been able to have pur-chases delivered to their homes.

“We really felt the neighborhood needed a good pet supply store. We love pets, and we wanted to bring the way that we live—eating organic foods—to a store that we opened, with a ‘green’ philosophy,” said owner Pennye Jones-Napier. “We wanted to be there for the community and its pets.”

� e delivery service idea, according to Jones-Napier, came from a close friend and customer who found herself purchas-ing some of her pet supplies from an on-line retailer. She said she knew she could provide the same service at a lower cost, with the bene� t of being a local business.

Like all new ventures, the new service faces challenges, but Jones-Napier said the business is working through the obstacles. Now, the owner said, drivers bring a � ash-light during night deliveries and plastic bags when it’s raining.

“It’s a personalized touch that makes the business special and di� erent,” said Jones-Napier. “We’re always looking at improving.”

According to Jones-Napier, she founded

the Takoma Park business with her partner, Julie Paez, in March 2005. � e Hya� sville location opened in August of 2011. Jones-Napier said she expects a third branch to open in Silver Spring within the next year.

� e owners say the store has increased its online presence in the last year, including a Facebook page and Twi� er account that

post tips for taking care of pets.“� is year, I’ve been making a con-

certed e� ort to add new sections in [the website] and update our product listing,” said Jones-Napier. “� ere’s someone on sta� now who is looking at revamping the whole website.”

One section of the website is dedicated

to lost animals and those in shelters that need a home.

� e new delivery option could help o� -set one of the challenges of operating out of the Arts District. Jones-Napier said she loses a lot of customers because of the parking. Even though the Big Bad Woof has two free spots behind the establish-ment, she said the city “widely underesti-mated the amount of parking needed.”

“Parking can be a pain,” said Jeremiah Pre-va� e, a dog owner and customer. “[� e Big Bad Woof] could use more parking spots.”

Parking issues aside, it’s the friendly na-ture of the employees, who know most customers by name, as well as their knowl-edge of pet care that keeps pet owners coming back.

� e store’s philosophy, according to Jones-Napier, was inspired by her child-hood experiences of growing up on her grandparents’ farm in Texas. Today, she said she uses her knowledge of animals and their diets to give advice to customers about how to feed and take care of their pets. � e Big Bad Woof hosts monthly “Woof Clinics” to help educate owners, and pets are frequently seen inside.

“I come here for the people; they have all of the foods for your dog, and they’ll give you advice for your pet’s diet,” said customer Susie Talbert, a dog owner. “If you love your dog, you’re going to come [to � e Big Bad Woof].”

Big Bad Woof adds delivery service

CAROLINE SELLEHyattsville City Administrator Tracey Nicholson and other local officials browsing Big Bad Woof Dec. 3 as Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot kicked off his “shop local” tour.

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Page 6 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

CulturalConnections

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“We were relieved to come back to the U.S. In Germany it was di� cult at � rst because people do not open up ... It put me in the shoes of someone who comes to Germany from a di� erent culture because it must be very hard to access German culture,” she said.

Although she misses urban life and the ability to “walk or bike places” in Germany, Ahlf-Wien enjoys living in the U.S.

“It’s very easy to make conver-sation with Americans. People are more open to invite you over for dinner or potluck par-ties. The more you become friends with someone, the more you discover the depth. We have many friends and so much support here.”

Additionally, she said, Hya� s-ville is, “a quirky place with peo-ple with lots of di� erent interests and people who think outside the box.” People have the free-dom to be themselves.

Freedom is a theme that reso-nates strongly with Ahlf-Wien. She recounts that she had a lot of independence growing up near Hamburg, Germany where she could play in the local forest with friends.

“I miss that I cannot replicate this type of childhood experi-ence for my children,” she said.

Yet, Imke loves the freedom that living in the U.S. a� ords to its citizens.

“One of the things I realize moving here is that America is the country of the free. Ev-eryone does exactly what they want—provided you have enough money. There is a mainstream culture and that is

“Live and let live” philosophy says local German resident

strong but people who do not belong to the mainstream cre-ate their own counterculture. In Germany, there is main-stream culture and you are ex-pected to conform to it; doing something outside of it is con-sidered weird.”

While Ahlf-Wien has not ex-perienced major culture shock, there are some areas she said have required adjustment. Ini-tially, she struggled with Amer-ican food.

“In grocery stores 80 percent of the food is highly processed. � ere is no good bread and you don’t know where the food comes from. But then you � nd the farmer’s market and co-ops and farms where meat is hu-manely raised. You have to make an e� ort but you can � nd almost anything. � ere is a whole coun-terculture around food.”

� e amount of choice can also have its negatives.

“People who are privileged tend to fret a lot,” she said. “� ey have all the choices of the world. Peo-ple get an overdose of choice and that makes their lives harder than it should be. For example, when I grew up everyone sent their children to public schools. In D.C., there are so many choices and people want the very best. It can make you crazy looking at all the di� erent options. � ere’s a time where good enough would make you happier than looking for the next best.”

Julia Gaspar-Bates is a cross-cul-tural trainer and consultant. “Cul-tural Connections” is devoted to bringing forward the voices of im-migrants and other foreigners who have se� led in Hya� sville.

by Julia Gaspar-Bates

German immigrant Imke Ahlf-Wien is happy to call Hya� sville her home.

Living here has been “fantastic because of the strong network and because so much is happen-ing,” she said. “I love the diversity

— I actually like a good mix of people from di� erent cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.”

Ahlf-Wien, who works as a free-lance translator of modern Arabic literature, and her husband, Peter, moved to the U.S. in 2006 when the University of Maryland hired him to teach. Previously, they

lived in Morocco. � e couple initially planned to

live here only a few years but as time passed, Imke said they con-sidered staying de� nitively. Ahlf-Wien said returning to her home culture a� er many years away helped her realize that it is easier to meet people in the United States.

JULIA GASPER-BATESHyattsville resident and German immigrant Imke Ahlf-Wien poses with her family.

Page 7: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 7

by Rebecca Bennett

On Nov. 23, Vigilante Coffee hosted a book signing and rec-ipe tasting event in support of a community potluck cookbook at their Gallatin Street roastery.

Author Nancy Vienneau said she wrote the Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook based on recipes that came from her local potluck.

“In June of 2009, a group of us decided to do something a little bit different and foster commu-nity by hosting a potluck. So, we started this potluck group on the third Thursday of each month.”

Vienneau said the organizers, one of whom had just started an urban farm and wanted to share food, invited like-minded people from all over the city. They don’t structure the pot-luck or ask people to RSVP, ac-cording to Vienneau, but out of the approximately 100 people on their email list, around 30 people show up each month. She said they host the dinners at various houses or even at the urban farm.

“The food was so extraordi-nary, and continued to be, that I thought this would make a really great cookbook to give people ideas about what they could do fresh and seasonally,” Vienneau said, “for their fami-lies or if they wanted to start their own potlucks.”

“[Hyattsville] is all about building friendships through food,” resident Madeleine Short said, who organized the event. “This totally resonates

with what the community is trying to achieve.” Short is Vi-enneau’s daughter.

Hyattsville resident Kristen Wares, who attended the event with her 18-month-old daugh-ter, bought a copy of the book as a gift. “But it is so good, I don’t think I can give it away,” she said.

Vienneau met with three other food bloggers for the first time at the Hyattsville event who had each been following the others.

“I’m addicted to just reading these introductions,” blogger Tracy Pickle said about the cookbook. “I find they are so warm and community-driven.”

“The photos are just lovely, very evocative,” said Nicole Criss. “I like how it’s organized seasonally.”

Cookbook author Domenica Marchetti said that while the cover indicated the recipes were Southern, they were actu-ally universal.

For more information on the Third Thursday Commu-nity Potluck Cookbook, visit www.nancyvienneau.com.

Cookbook highlights friendships through food

REBECCA BENNETTAuthor Nancy Vienneau sets out more tastings from her community potluck cookbook at Vigilate Coffee.

Hugh’sNewsBy Hugh Turley

Sacred Heart Home in Hyatts-ville was the beneficiary of an annual charity ball organized by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Father Rosensteel Council of the Knights of Columbus in Silver Spring, Maryland. A check for over $25,000 will be presented to Sacred Heart Home on Monday, Dec. 8.

Over 260 people attended the charity ball held in No-vember. Nancy Marchone, a co-chairwoman of the event, said, “This was the most suc-cessful fund raising event we have ever held.” Paul Fecteau, a resident of Sacred Heart Home, is the husband of ball

co-chairwoman Cecile Fec-teau.

The facility has been a trea-sure in Hyattsville since it opened in 1926, providing in-termediate and long-term care to some 100 aged and infirmed residents.

It is operated by the Sisters Ser-vants of Mary Immaculate. � e sisters are commi� ed to Christ’s call for mercy in caring for those in need.

Anyone wishing to make a donation during the Christ-mas season to support this non-profit charity can send their check payable to:

Sacred Heart Home 5805 Queens Chapel Road Hyattsville, Md. 20782

MAKE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY FLORAL CENTERPIECE

TEL - 301-699-8312 CALL TO REGISTER

DEC. 13 & 14, 3:00 - 5:00 PM (LIMITED SEATING)

The Basket Gourmet Shop is hosting its 1st Annual Holiday Centerpiece Workshop. Join us for a festive evening full of holiday cheer and light refreshments while learning how to make your own floral masterpiece to bring home. Reserve your seat by Dec. 11 and choose the $50 or $75 package which will include the workshop and materials to do arrangements.

Give the Gift of Hyattsville PridePrince George’s County

Rain Check Rebate Program• Gives property owners rebates for installing stormwater management practices• $2,000 maximum residential rebate, $20,000 maximum rebate for commercial properties and multi-family dwellings

For more information, call or email CBT’s Natalia Sanchez

at 410-974-2941 [email protected]://www.cbtrust.org/princegeorgesraincheck

Page 8: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville ReportertheNo. 300 • December 10, 2014 www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Page HR1 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page HR2

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

Hyattsville Education Advisory CommitteeThursday, December 11, 6:30 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Jake Rollow, 301-985-5031, [email protected]

City Council Public Hearing on Budget PrioritiesMonday, December 15, 7 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville City Council MeetingMonday, December 15, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville Code Compliance Advisory CommitteeWednesday, December 17, 7 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin StreetMore information: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, [email protected]

Volunteer Opportunity: Invasive Plant Re-movalSaturday, December 20, 9 AM - 1 PMMagruder Woods, 3911 Hamilton StreetMore information: 301-985-5057

Winter CampDecember 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31Magruder Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton StreetMore information: Tony Martinez, 301-985-5065 or [email protected]

City Administrative Offices Closed Emergency Services ContinueThursday, December 25Thursday, January 1

City Council Public Hearing on Allowing 16- and 17-Year-Olds to VoteMonday, January 5, 7 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville City Council MeetingMonday, January 5, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Hyattsville Board of Supervisors of Elec-tions MeetingTuesday, January 6, 4 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

City Council Work Session on Budget Pri-oritiesWednesday, January 14, 8 PMHyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 GallatinMore information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Santa With a BadgeDon’t be alarmed if you see a line of

police cars streaming towards Prince George’s Plaza this Sat-

urday. Just look to see if they’re being led by a

team of reindeer.The twelfth Opera-tion Santa with a

Badge in Hy-attsville

is expected to help more than 100 less-fortunate youngsters get holiday presents. Each one will be accompanied by a police officer, and will spend a gift certificate do-nated by a retailer, resident or agency. “We started off with 13 children and we’ve

grown every year,” said Hyattsville Police Department Sergeant Mike Rudinski, who founded the Operation in 2003. Area elementary schools identify the chil-

dren with financial need who participate, and Rudinski recruits the officers and vol-unteers that accompany them. Rudinski said the program is great be-

cause it buy gifts for so many five- to 12-year-olds, and also reminds the officers of their own personal values.

“You’ll see officers reach into their pocket to supplement the gift certificate because the kid wants to buy mom a coat for the winter,” Rudinski said.After the shopping is finished this year, ev-

eryone will go to a party at Northwestern High School. Outback Steakhouse will provide the food, and Santa will be in attendance.

To make a donation, or for more infor-mation, please contact Sergeant Mike Rudinski at [email protected]

Let Teenagers Vote? How To Spend Your Taxes?

Hyattsville’s Mayor and City Council is pondering these question, and they

want public input to help them make decisions. They invite residents to par-

ticipate in two public hearings. First, on December 15 you are encouraged to

share your opinion on next year’s City budget. And then on January 5 come say what you think about allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in City elections. Both hearings will be at 7 p.m. at the Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. For more information, contact City Clerk Laura Reams at 301-985-5009 or [email protected].

Composters WantedHyattsville is seeking volunteers to par-ticipate in a pilot composting program. Participants will receive, free of charge, a small countertop container, a larger outdoor container, and regular compost pickup. The City hopes to get the program started soon. If you are interested in join-ing, please contact Colleen Aistis at 301-985-5057 or [email protected].

Cut that out!Hey you! Yes, you, the one dumping a truckload of yard waste in Magruder Woods. Stop doing that! Dumping in public parks is illegal – no

matter if it’s yard waste or trash, by the truckload or handful. When you are caught, you will be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to $30,000 and five years in prison. But even before you are caught, you are making parks less great for your neighbors and community. And all to save yourself the fee for going to the actual dump – just $10 for a pick-up-truck load.If you see illegal dumping, report it to Hy-

attsville Police at 301-985-5060. If you’re a dumper – CUT IT OUT!!!

Gracia sin Edad Clases de EjercicioCada miércoles y viernes hasta el 26 de noviembre10 - 11 AM, 4310 Gallatin StreetMás información: Colleen Aistis, 301.985.5057 o [email protected]

Comité de Educación de HyattsvilleJueves, 11 de diciembre, 6:30 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Jake Rollow, 301-985-5031, [email protected]

Audiencia Publica con el Consejo Munici-pal: Prioridades del PresupuestoLunes, 15 de diciembre, 7 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión del Consejo Municipal de Hyatts-villeLunes, 15 de diciembre, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Comité de Cumplimiento de Codigos de HyattsvilleMiércoles, 17 de diciembre, 7 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, [email protected]

Eliminación de Plantas Invasivas Sábado, 20 de diciembre, 9 AM - 1 PMBosque Magruder, 3911 Hamilton StreetMás información: 301-985-5057

Campamento del Invierno22, 23, 29, 30 y 31 de diciembreCentro Recreativo de MagruderMás información: Tony Martinez, 301-985-5065 o [email protected]

Oficinas de la Ciudad CerradosServicios de Emergencia ContinuanJueves, 25 de diciembreJueves, 1 de enero

Audiencia Publica con el Consejo Munici-pal: Permitir Jovenes de 16 y 17 a Votar? Lunes, 5 de enero, 7 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión del Consejo Municipal de Hyatts-villeLunes, 5 de enero, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Mesa Directiva de Las Elecciones de Hyatts-villeMartes, 6 de enero, 4 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

Reunión de Trabajo del Consejo Municipal: Prioridades del PresupuestoLunes, 1 de diciembre, 8 PMEdificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 GallatinMás información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, [email protected]

CALENDAR CALENDARIO

Reportero de HyattsvilleelNo. 300 • 10 de diciembre, 2014 www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Santa con Placa de PolicíaEs possible que Ud. vea una linea de autos de policía corriendo al Plaza de Prince George este sabado. Pero en vez de preocupar, vea a ver si en frente hay un equipo de reno.El duodécimo Operación Santa con

Placa de Policía en Hyattsville se espera ayudar mas de 100 niños pobres a com-prar regalos para las fiestas. A cada uno se acompañará una policía, y gastará un certificado de regalo donado por una tienda, residente o agencia.“Empezamos con 13 niños y hemos cre-

cido todos los años,” dijo Sargento Mike Rudinski, del Departmento de Policía de Hyattsville, quien creó la Operación en 2003.Escuelas primarias en el area eligen los

niños con necesidades que participan, y Rudinski reclute las policías y los volun-

tarios que les acompañan.Rudinski dijo que el gran programa

ayuda tantos niños de 5 a 12 años de edad, y también recuerda a las policías de sus valores personales.“Ven policías metiendo la mano en su

bolsillo para complementar el certificado de regalo porque el niño quiere comprar una chaqueta para la mama para el in-vierno,” dijo Rudinski.Después de comprar este año, todos van

a la Preparatoria Northwestern para una fiesta. La comida se proveerá Outback Steakhouse, y Santa va a asistir.

¿Permiten a Votar los Jovenes? ¿Comó Gastar Sus Impuestos?El Alcalde y Consejo Municipal de Hyatts-ville están pensando en estas preguntas, y quieren retroalimentación del publico para

ayudarles en decidir. Invitan a los residen-tes a participar en dos audiencias publicas. Primero, el 15 de diciembre todos están invitado a compartir su opinión sobre el presupuesto de la Ciudad. Y después, el 5 de enero vengan y digan que piensan de la posibilidad de permitir los jovenes de 16 y 17 años a votar en elecciones municipales. Las dos reuniones serán a las 7 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal, 4310 Gallatin Street. Para más información, contacte a la Sec-retaria de la Ciudad Laura Reams en 301-985-5009 o [email protected].

Buscando ComposterosHyattsville busca voluntarios a partici-par en un programa piloto de compost. Participantes recibirá, gratuita, un con-tenedor encimero chico, un contenedor mas grande para afuera, y recolección del compost regularmente. La Ciudad pla-

nea en empezar el programa pronto. Si tiene interés en participar, por favor con-tacte a Colleen Aistis en 301-985-5057 o [email protected].

¡Ya Basta!¡Oye tú! Sí, tú, que estás botando un pickup de basura del jardin en el Bosque Magruder. ¡Parate!Botar en parques publicos es ilegal – no

importa si es por camión o puñado. Cu-ando te atrapan, te cargan con un delíto y puede pagar hasta $30,000 y cinco años en la cárcel. Pero antes de que te atrapan, estás empeorando las parques para sus vecinos y comunidad. Y todo para guardar el dinero de llevar su basura al vertedero – que cues-ta $10 para un pickup de basura.Si vea alguien botando, llame al policía

en 301-985-5060. Si estás botando – ¡YA BASTA!

Page 9: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 8 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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SchoolNews

By Kit Slack

On a grey fall morning in Green-belt, the newly renovated site of the Robert Goddard French Immersion School is dazzling in fresh white paint – paint that can’t quite conceal the thick, raised le� ers that still spell out “Greenbelt Middle School” over the front door. � e old le� ering is still up because a new name for the French immersion school is pending to go with its new loca-tion. � e new name (which will replace “Robert Goddard) won’t be o� cial until January, a� er which a new, permanent sign will be installed.

Awaiting � nal approval, the new name is expected to be the Dora Kennedy K-8 French Immersion School. Dr. Dora Kennedy, who died in 2009, was the head of for-eign language education in the county between 1959 and 1991. She was also an early proponent of language immersion and one of the founders of the National Museum of Language in College Park.

Dr. Kennedy would have been proud this September, when the U.S. Department of Education named Robert Goddard French Immersion School a National Blue Ribbon School in recogni-tion of its exemplary academic excellence. It was the only public

school in Prince George’s County to receive the award this year and one of fewer than 350 schools na-tionwide.

� e school began in 1985 as a French immersion program at a high school in Bladensburg, only the second language immersion program in the country. In 2002, it moved to Seabrook, and be-came the Robert Goddard French Immersion School, a K-8 school, sharing a building with Robert Goddard Montessori School. � is fall, it opens new doors for the third time.

� e student body is approximate-ly three-quarters African Ameri-can, 15 percent white, and less

than 5 percent Hispanic. About a quarter of students qualify for free or discounted lunches. On state-wide assessment tests over the past � ve years, over 90 percent of students have been deemed “pro-� cient” or “advanced” in reading and math. Students have also re-ceived top honors in the Diplôme d’Études en Langue Francaise, a certi� cation of competency in French from the French Ministry of Education.

� e school’s curriculum is rigor-ous. All core subjects are taught in French starting in kindergarten. Students also have homework in reading and math every night. At every grade level, the teach-

ing team coordinates on nightly homework. Still, many parents say the homework load can be heavy.

In second grade, the school sup-plements the French immersion curriculum with instruction in English from dedicated English lan-guage teachers. In sixth grade, Rus-sian becomes available as an elec-tive subject, and in seventh grade, Russian becomes mandatory.

Teachers at the school are native French speakers from all over the world, including Morocco, Togo, and Syria. Parent Teacher Asso-ciation (PTA) president Katrina Dodro says the result is “an awe-some opportunity for children to get to be more global ... in a multi-lingual school that is also multicul-tural.”

Ms. Dodro and Principal Nasser Abi agree that one of the school’s other great strengths is its involved parents and their support of the school’s commi� ed teachers. “Par-ents’ involvement helps the child, the school, and the teacher to im-prove,” said Principal Abi.

One parent who is an experi-enced grant writer volunteers her skills to the school. Other parents work with teachers to help lead the school’s rich extracurricular o� erings, which include chess, art, Lego robotics, � tness, 4-H, and science-focused clubs. Prin-cipal Abi says parents are also very commi� ed to the school’s

music programs; orchestra and band start in fourth grade and the school regularly performs well in county-wide music competitions.

Some parents say communica-tion with the school can be chal-lenging, especially since only a small percentage of families are French speakers. � e school en-courages parents to communicate with teachers via email.

Ms. Dodro explained that this is the PTA’s “year of communi-cation.” � e PTA is encouraging parents to subscribe to a text-based news and update system and to listservs that exist for each grade level. � ese e� orts will eventually replace paper � yers that o� en languish in backpacks, she said.

� is year, the school added a fourth kindergarten class, boost-ing the number of kindergar-teners to a total of one hundred children � ree hundred remain on the waiting list. Priority admis-sion is given to new kindergarten applicants who are siblings of ex-isting students, with the remain-ing places � lled by a lo� ery. For upper grades, admission to any available seats is made on the ba-sis of assessment testing, includ-ing French language skills.

Given the school’s National Blue Ribbon status and a� ractive new facility, waiting lists are likely to be long again next fall.

French immersion school moves to new facility, wins national award

KIT SLACKThe schoolʼs hallways boast educational decorations. This sign asks “How do you dress?”

Page 10: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 9

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Helping Sell HyattsvilleAnd our Neighboring Community

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

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

email: [email protected]

web: ANNBARRETT.LNF.COM

Ann Barrett, Realtor®

Honored As Top-Producing Individual Agent,

Long & Foster College Park 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013!

The information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted.Wishing Hyattsville a Joyous Holiday Season!

4209 Kennedy Street, HyattsvilleLovely 4 BR/2 bath bungalow with den – Sold for $327,000

5705 41st Ave, HyattsvilleClassic 1924 Bungalow – lovingly renovated – Sold for $330,000

SOLD

4108 Jefferson Street, HyattsvilleOne of the Grand Dames of Historic Hyattsville! A gracious home with 5 bedrooms & 2 ½ baths. Beautifully situated on a ½ acre lot with multiple porches and balconies and a detached garage. Open House Sunday December 14, 1-4pmListed for $500,000

Recent Activity & Sales:

6101 44th Place, RiverdaleSold for $245,000

4017 36th St., Mount RainierSold for $267,000

4116 Hamilton StreetSold for $373,000

4010 Hamilton Street, HyattsvilleSold for $317,000

5600 36th Place, HyattsvilleSold for $300,000

SOLD SOLD

FOR SALE

December 11A free, one-night workshop provides the opportunity to create paper ornaments with your loved ones, young and old. All materials are provided. If you have special paper you would like to use, feel free to bring it the day of the event. No registration required. Free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Is-land Avenue, Brentwood.

December 13Don’t miss Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary at the Bunker Hill Road Fire station. 9 a.m. to noon. Bunker Hill Fire Station, 3716 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood.

Don’t get stuck at crowded malls this season buying generic gi� sets for your loved ones. Come to the Brentwood Arts Exchange Holiday Cra� Fair and Beer Tasting Lounge! � irteen Fine Cra� artisans from the com-munity will be displaying their items for sale inside our warm and cozy gallery and classroom. A wide selection of � ne cra� items will be available such as po� ery, jewelry, textiles, glass, ornaments, and much more. In addition to the cra� sale, there will be a beer tasting lounge sponsored by Town Center Mar-ket and Wilford’s Upholstery. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood.

Do you ever watch musicals and wish you lived in a world where people burst into song on public transportation? Sing Christmas carols on the trol-ley rides that conclude the 2014 Annual Riverdale Park Holiday Market. Feature hol-iday gifts, live music and free photos with Santa from noon to 8 p.m. The trolley rides, which run from 5:30 to 8 p.m. (last one departing at 7:30 p.m.), are free with a donation of a canned good. 6200 Rhode Island Avenue, Riverdale Park. 301.927.6381.

St. Jerome Academy is holding its � rst annual Carpe Noctem Boutique. In addition to fea-turing many vendors through-out the fun-� lled evening, wine, tasty desserts, beer, and heavy appetizers will be available to purchase for a sip-and-shop ex-perience. 5 to 9 p.m. St. Jerome Academy, 5207 42nd Place. $5; children 12 and under, free.

� e College Park Community Foundation is gearing up for its 2014 Winter Gala with food, drink, silent auction, musical en-tertainment, and a celebration of the 2014 Grant Recipients. � e event will be at the College Park Marrio� Hotel and Conference Center. $45 per person. 7 p.m. 3501 University Boulevard. www.collegeparkfoundation.org

December 13, 19 and 20The Hyattsville VFD expanded

its Santa Run program in 2014 to three nights of jolly ol’ fun. Weather-dependent. 6 to 8 p.m. Free. Visit www.hvfd.com/san-ta-run for planned routes.

December 14Design and create your dream house out of graham crackers, candy, and frosting at the Gin-gerbread House Holiday Hul-labaloo. � en create your own one of a kind ornament just in time for the holidays! Bring an optional donation of a new, un-wrapped toy for Toys for Tots. Free. Noon to 3 p.m. 3711 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier.

December 16Head to Publick Playouse for a sparkling multi-cultural col-lection full of Holiday Tales, including the Gift of the Magi, The Nutcracker, Kwanzaa Kite, and Soul of a Menorah. Per-formed by the Emmy-nomi-nated Pushcart Players, at the heart of each story are gifts of love, kindness, compas-sion and generosity. This program will warm your heart with the genu-ine spirit of the sea-

son. Recommended for grades K-8. $8 or $6 for groups of 20 or more. 10:15 a.m. and noon. 5445 Landover Road, Chever-ly. 301.277.1710.

December 13 to 20� e National Capital Trackers model-railroad club returns to the College Park Aviation Mu-seum with its Holiday Trains and Planes exhibit. See it dur-ing regular museum hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $4, with discounts for children and seniors. Col-lege Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Sco� Drive, College Park. 301.864.6029.

December 22All ages are welcome to gather at the library for a screening of

� e Muppet Christmas Carol. Come and watch the Muppets’ version of the holiday classic by Charles Dickens. Kermit stars as Bob Cratchit and Michael Caine makes for a memorable Ebenezer Scrooge. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Free. 6 p.m. Hya� sville Library, 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.

December 27Close out the year by stepping back in time at The Calverts by Candlelight, with period music, children’s activities, seasonal decorations and self-guided tours of the historic mansion, where costumed in-terpreters representing the Cal-vert family and visiting military troops will greet guests. $5; free for ages 12 and under. 6 to 9 p.m. Riversdale House Mu-seum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420.

December 28Sankofa Dance Theatre of

CALENDAR continued on

page 10

. . . to shop local !Visit us at Tanglewood Works for a beautiful selection of

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Page 11: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 10 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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Baltimore presents Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa!, a joyous program celebrating heritage, family and community. The symbols of Kwanzaa are enhanced with African music, traditional tales, dance and drumming. “Sankofa” means learning from the past to build for the future. Join us for a heartwarming, interactive performance for the whole family that reaches into the rich legacy of African culture and history to embrace the proud shared culture of Af-rican Americans. $20. $15 for seniors, students and groups of 20 or more. 3 p.m. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly. 301.277.1710.

December 29Help advocate for a child in need by submitting an ap-plication for the Court Ap-pointed Child Advocate winter training session. Training will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 22 to Feb. 19 at the Hyattsville Municipal Build-ing. Free. www.pgcasa.org. 301.209.0491.

January 7Join Hyattsville Aging in Place for its January meeting. 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Hyattsville Mu-nicipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. 301.985.5058.

Ongoing

See the 28th Annual Winter Festival of Lights from the comfort of your heated car as you drive through the Watkins Regional Park display, which features over a million lights. Please bring a canned good to donate. Admission per car or van is $5 for a single visit or $10 for a three-visit pass. Open daily through January 1 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. 301.699.2456.

Through March, natural-ists will lead a guided hikearound Lake Artemesia and the Luther Goldman Birding Trail on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Meet at the parking lot at Berwyn Road and Ballew Ave. in Ber-wyn Heights. For beginners and experts. Bird checklist available. Free, no reserva-tions needed. Lake Arteme-

sia, 8200 55th Avenue, Ber-wyn Heights. Free. 3 to 4:30 p.m. 301.459.3375

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

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 & Poets, 5331 Balti-more Avenue. 301.779.2787.

Community Calendar is a select 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] or mail to P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Deadline for Janu-ary submissions is December 28.

CALENDAR continued from page 9

REBECCA BENNETTAt Hyattsvilleʼs Breakfast with Santa, Heather McAndrews and daugh-ter Olivia had the opportunity to meet the jolly old fellow.

Page 12: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

MissFloribunda

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 11

Dear Miss Floribunda,

Because you said they harbor Lyme ticks, I got rid of my bush honeysuckles, which had gorgeous red berries in December. I also yanked out the invasive porcelain berry you mentioned, too. Now I � nd that birds don’t visit my yard much. I’ve tried the obvious solution, installing bird feeders. � e squir-rels just love them, thank you very much. I want to plant something I can see � om my windows that will a� ract birds again, and a� ract them in December. To me, birds and berries are an important part of the Yuletide scene and I always send out those Victorian-style Christmas cards that feature them. I’m considering planting holly, but as you have pointed out, it is unpleasantly prickly. Please recommend something fast growing and ecologically acceptable.

Bere� of Berries on Buchanan Street

Dear Bere� of Berries,

You will be happy to know that some of our own native plants bear fruit in late autumn, enough to last till early spring. Some fill the bill perfectly — whether the bill of a cedar waxwing, a chickadee, or some other bird passing through or staying the winter. My own favorite is the American highbush cranberry (Vi-

burnum trilobum). It gets up to 12 feet tall and wide but can be pruned back easily, and you can find lower growing varieties. This shrub grows fairly quick-ly, isn’t prickly like holly, and not only produces luscious red berries in fall that last through the winter, but blooms in spring with charming little hydrangea-like white flowers. The chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is another good native-bird lure, as is the wahoo (Euony-mus atropurpurea) and the dramatically attractive and nonpoisonous staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). All have festive, red berries for your visual delight. As for holly, I only suggested kinder, gen-tler alternatives for indoor decorating. It is a wonderful bird harbor precisely be-cause of the prickles. The birds are safe from competitors and predators while they feast on the berries. Some varieties are quite fast growing: the Nellie R. Ste-vens, a cross between Chinese holly and English holly, grows two to three feet a year. When it reaches the height you want, it accepts severe pruning forgiv-ingly. It is also remarkable because it is parthenocarpic (self-fertile), and so you don’t need to buy both male and female plants.

If you decide to create a good winter birdscape, you might consider certain evergreens that not only have lovely sil-

very-blue berries and foliage, but are the favorite nesting places of such birds as the colorful and tuneful cardinal. If you have room for a tree that reaches 65 feet tall, you couldn’t do be� er than the beau-tiful eastern red cedar, but there are other

smaller varieties of junipers adorned with beautiful berries. � ey not only feed the birds but o� er them shelter from the winter winds. Don’t forget that junipers are dioecious, which means that female junipers won’t set fruit if there isn’t a male juniper somewhere somewhere in the vicinity. � ere are many other won-derful choices, but I assume you want to limit this to the present season.

As an afterthought, have you consid-ered investigating squirrel-proof bird feeders? There are “squirrel-buster” models of several types. One has a mechanism that the weight of the squir-rel activates and which collapses what-ever the squirrel is perched on it. Birds are able to perch on the thin ring sur-rounding the collapsible part. Some bird feeders are placed on tall poles that squirrels supposedly can’t climb. An-other type has a globular shape that less athletic squirrels have trouble staying astride, and yet another gives the squir-rel a nonlethal but unpleasant electric shock. And then my friend Ivan Grozni has a very good recipe for squirrel pie.

To meet Ivan and other members of the Hy-a� sville Horticultural Society please come to the December meeting and party at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20. It will be hosted by by Jean and Millard Smith at 3600 Longfellow Street.

The American highbush cranberry produces luscious red berries in the fall that last throughout the winter.

The Hyattsville Police Department last month was awarded reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Hyattsville Police have been accredited repeatedly and continuously since 1999.

Give the Gift of Hyattsville Pride

Hyattsville Police Re-Accredited

The City of Hyattsville is launching sales of the

world-famous “I AM HYATTSVILLE”

t-shirt in time for the holidays. The shirts are

available in cuts for children, women and men at www.cafepress.com/

cityofhyattsville.

Give the Gift of Hyattsville Pride

Page 13: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 12 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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city’s needs are expected to ex-pand to 65,500 square feet.

As a solution, the city suggested moving the police department to the former BB&T building by 2018, budgeting for short-term improvements to the municipal building, and looking for buyers or lessees for the Arcade Building and parts of the municipal building.

Projected costs for the renova-tions broken down by location: $2.72 million for the former BB&T building, $2.45 million for the Arcade Building, $1.94 million for the DPW yard, and $1.43 million for the Hyattsville Municipal Building.

Work needs to be done on the ground floor of the former BB&T building in order to make it more secure and accessible to residents, according to Chandler’s presenta-tion, and new tenants would need to replace the existing HVAC system. In the short-term, the fa-cilities study said only $479,000 would be required to make the building usable.

The Arcade Building requires ex-tensive renovation inside, accord-

ing to the city, as it is currently not fit for use as office space or a stor-age facility. Chandler said the alter-ations to the DPW yard are already underway, and that construction will include new buildings and a renovation of existing properties.

Finally, the existing city admin-istration building requires a host of renovations ranging from an update to the entryway to an ex-pansion in the amount of avail-able meeting room square foot-age, Chandler said.

The next steps for the facilities plan starts with an approval from the city council to relocate the police department to the former BB&T building. That is scheduled

to be addressed in December. Then, the council would need to approve a budget for fiscal 2016 that allows for renovations to start under the capital improvements line of expenditures.

After that, the city would need to decide how to use the Ar-cade Building and the remaining space in the municipal building. That decision is projected for the middle of 2015, after the scope of renovations is made clear.

In the event the council did want to move forward, Chandler proposed dates for public discus-sion, including the Dec. 15 city council meeting and a commu-nity meeting in January.

on State Highways.In a presentation to the city

council in December 2012, SHA said the plan extends the grassy median across the intersections of Oliver Street and Manorwood Drive. Renderings show that this will limit access to and from northbound MD 500.

“Current staff is aware of the concerns of residents and Coun-cil Members and is appreciative of their insight,” City Adminis-trator Tracey Nicholson said, en-couraging residents to continue to provide input. “Any upgrade to existing infrastructure in the City can be beneficial.”

SHA said drivers can expect changes to traffic patterns during construction. The northbound right-turn lane from Queens Chapel Road to Hamilton Street is presently closed. SHA expects crews to complete the current drainage improvements in 2015, after which similar improve-ments are planned for south-bound MD 500.

SHA originally told the city that a double left-turn lane from MD 500 onto Belcrest Road was not possible because the intersection was not wide enough, according to a January 2014 meeting with city, county, and state represen-tatives. However, the November press release says the double turn lane is to be included.

The city also requested a traffic light be installed at the intersec-tion of Queens Chapel Road with Nicholson Street; however, that will not included in the project. The Maryland Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices states that there are nine factors that deter-mine whether a stop signal is war-ranted, according to SHA Com-munity Liaison David Buck.

“The most recent crash history, traffic counts, prevailing speeds, delay study, and sight distance were used in the study,” Buck said. “A review of the crash his-tory did not indicate a collision history correctable by installing a signal.”

SHA said they expect the entire project to be completed by late fall 2016.

queens chapel continued from page 1

facilities continued from page 1

t. carter rossGiven space constraints, the city discussed moving the police department out of the municipal building.

Page 14: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014 Page 13

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an additional five to six scattered throughout the region.

“Our mission is to encourage everyone to be the best expres-sion of themselves, the best indie version of themselves,” Wright said. “We do this through teach-ing voice, piano, wood, bass, strings. The goal is to spread a mission of teaching music from an indie artist perspective.”

In addition to studio space, JRE said it offers its students the op-tion of working with instructors at home or via Skype. The instruc-tors, all of whom continue to be independent artists in the local area, teach students ranging from

3 to 65 years old in voice and in-strumental music. Wright said that most students hear of the business through word-of-mouth.

Many of the instructors use non-traditional teaching techniques, like musical theater. Students are taught how to market themselves and talk to producers, Wright said.

“It’s unique teaching but it is some-thing we think they should be doing anyways to hone the craft,” said Mu-sic Director Jordan Sherman. “I al-ways had freedom to teach the way I wanted to, so I want others to have that and to create good musicians.”

“[JRE] goes along with the way I naturally teach — playing is play-ing, pretty much,” said Douglas Byrd Jr., who teaches bass and lead guitar and drums. “One thing I like

about working here is the impact we can make on the young folks…[we can] make a positive impression.”

JRE students are given the op-portunity to participate in quar-terly showcases, which are “not typical recitals,” Wright said. There have been two showcases this year, one of which she said was held at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville with a live band.

“We want to equip them with the knowledge and experience that we have gained as indie artists ourselves,” said Wright. “When you are first throwing yourself out there as an artist, you learn as you go along.”

For more information, head to www.justrockenterprises.com

rebecca bennettOn Nov. 16, Just Rock Enterprises held a soft launch of their new space, which included a tour and pop-up live performances. Below: Juliette Bozyigit (left) and Music Director Jordan Sherman (right).

rock continued from page 1

Page 15: December 2014 Hyattsville Life & Times

Page 14 Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2014

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