The Pri nce Ge orge’s Pos t

A C OMMUNITY NEWSPAPER FOR PRINCE GEORGE ’S COUNTY Since 1932

Vol. 84, No. 20 May 19 — May 25, 2016 Prince George’s County, Maryland Newspaper of Record Phone: 301-627-0900 25 cents

PG County Government Employees Volunteer Throughout County By Press Officer In its 28th year, Prince PG County Goverment George’s County’s Christmas in April, a non-profit that of - UPPER MARLBORO , fers free home repairs to home - MD—On April 30, hundreds of owners selected for the pro - Prince George’s County employ - gram, has repaired 2,501 ees along with thousands of resi - homes throughout the County. dents spent their Saturday volun - This year, Christmas in April teering at various Christmas in repaired 81 homes with ap - April and “Clean Up, Green Up” proximately 3,500 volunteers. locations throughout the County. The Office of County Execu - Both these initiatives have been tive adopted the home of Ida important clean-up efforts during Douglas in Landover, MD for County Executive Rushern L. the Prince George’s County Baker, III’s administration. Christmas in April charity. Ms. PHOTO SUBMITTED BY LORI VALENTINE, COURTESY THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE County Executive Baker believes Douglas is 84 and has lived in that County employees should this home for almost 50 years. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (center), EDC President & CEO Jim Coleman (right of Cardin), Prince George’s County Executive’s Office take time to volunteer and get in - The Office of County Execu - DCAO David Iannucci (right of Coleman), Relocated Business CEO’s; and EDC Team. volved in communities through - tive appreciates the support for out the County and today is an this project provided by the example of how employees give business, non-profit and faith- back to causes around the County based communities. each and every day. “Clean Up, Green Up” is a EDC Hosts Roundtable for U.S. “I often say how fortunate I one-day, twice per year, county- am to work with such a kind- wide landscape beautification hearted and giving group of peo - effort. The County’s Department ple,” said County Executive of Public Works and Transporta - Senator Ben Cardin With Top Baker. “Their willingness to give tion (DPW&T) provides free of their time to make life better plant material with the promise for others is inspiring. I want to that community groups will thank everyone for helping make plant in public spaces, including ESenaxtore Ccarduin Ctriedvitse H’arsd W Fork rof oBamker A dLminiostractioan wli thC Coountmy Sucpcesas inn Attiraectsing Prince George’s County a great schools, streetscapes, neighbor - place to live. I also want to thank hood entrances, and municipal CEO’s From Around the World to Say ‘Yes’ to Moving to Prince George’s County the thousands of residents who centers. Members of the Office By LORI VALENTINE this exclusive meeting, EDC “We’re delighted to be able ethics reform in County gov - came out for our annual Christmas of County Executive also vol - PGCEDC President and CEO Jim Coleman to showcase for Senator Cardin ernment, or the streamlining of in April and “Clean Up Green Up” unteered at various “Clean Up, and his executive team intro - some of the economic develop - the permitting process through Day. The promise and progress Green Up” beautification sites LARGO, MD—On May 6, duced Senator Cardin to the ment fire power that Prince the Department of Permitting, of Prince George’s County resides in our Transforming Neighbor - the Prince George’s County Eco - CEO’s of eight companies, who George’s County is attracting,” Inspections and Enforcement, in our residents being fantastic hood Initiative communities of nomic Development Corporation have recently relocated to Prince said Coleman. “County Exec - or launching the Transforming neighbors—today’s county-wide Langley Park, Bladensburg/East (EDC) had a very productive George’s County, for an intimate utive Baker has been worked Neighborhood Initiative, or es - volunteer efforts epitomize the Riverdale, Kentland/Palmer conversation with U.S. Senator conversation on why they de - tirelessly over the last five tablishing a $50 million Eco - dedication that Prince Georgians Park, Suitland, Hillcrest Ben Cardin in its Largo office to cided to move to the County and years to create a business cli - have for helping each other out Heights/Marlowe Heights, and talk about economic growth in how the EDC provided assis - mate that encourages hyper improving our communities.” Glassmanor/Oxon Hill. Prince George’s County. During tance in their relocation. growth. Whether it was his See ROUNDTABLE Page A 6

PG County: Strong in Opportunity PGCPS Students Try Out for National County Executive Baker Announces Plan to Bring County Offices to Largo at ‘State of the Economy’ Address Women’s Cricankd ceomtp etTe ine maatmches to de - one game for Kenmoor Middle By Press Officer termine if they meet the qualifi - School in the Washington Area LORI VALENTINE PGCPS By cations needed to join the USA Middle Schools (WAMS) PGCEDC National Women’s Cricket Team. Cricket League. Samuel cur - CLINTON , MD—On April UPPER MARLBORO, MD “I am extremely excited rently plays for the Bowie Boys 13, County Executive Rushern —Two Prince George’s County about the opportunity to try out and Girls Club 15U Travel Baker presented his 2016 ‘State Public Schools (PGCPS) stu - for the national women’s cricket Cricket Team, and played for the of the Economy’ Address to a dents will participate in the USA team,” said Chotoo. “I look for - Buck Lodge Middle School sold out crowd of 500 local Cricket Combines hosted by the ward to showcasing my skills Cricket Team in the WAMS business leaders, developers International Cricket Council and seeing how I match up with Cricket League last year. and elected officials at the from May 19 to May 22 in the other girls my age.” The BEST and WAMS Colony South Hotel in Clinton, Washington, D.C. area. Chotoo is the head coach for leagues are the first elementary Maryland. Mr. Baker used the Julia Chotoo, a sophomore at the Whitehall Elementary and middle school cricket theme of “Opportunity” to Eleanor Roosevelt High School, School Cricket Team, which par - leagues in the United States. highlight the current state of the and Sannuthi Samuel, a sopho - ticipates in the Bowie Elemen - Both leagues started in PGCPS economy, job creation and the more at Laurel High School, will tary School Teams (BEST) and are now expanding to other workforce development that has PHOTO COURTESY LORI VALENTINE undergo fitness and skills testing Cricket League, and played in counties in Maryland. taken place in Prince George’s Left to right: M. H. Jim Estepp, Pres. & CEO, Greater Prince County since his election in George’s Business Roundtable; Victoria Mendoza, Miss 2010. Today’s event was co- World America; County Executive Rushern Baker, Prince hosted by the Prince George’s George’s County; Derrick L. Davis, Council Chair, Prince PGCPS Again Lead the State in Newly County Economic Corporation George’s County Council; Jim Coleman, Pres. & CEO, Prince and the Greater Prince George’s George’s County Economic Development Corporation. Certified Green Schools Business Roundtable. By Press Officer gram, two schools have recer - made great efforts to expand “In five short years, we have vantage of the opportunities we Prince George’s County has PGCPS tified, and two schools re - our Environmental Literacy moved from a County that was always knew were there. Imagine experienced exponential ceived sustainable school sta - program to ensure that all stu - under investigation by the FBI, what the future will be like with growth as a result of the con - UPPER MARLBORO, tus. This brings the district’s dents understand how environ - to a County looking forward to a town center and performing arts certed efforts by the Baker Ad - MD—Prince George’s County total number of Green Schools mental relationships impact bringing the FBI to the County,” center in Suitland; the Regional ministration to grow a sustain - Public Schools (PGCPS) once to 71. our communities and what ac - said Mr. Baker. “The new reality Medical Center and government able economy equipped to again leads the state in the “I am thrilled once again tions they can take to create is that our economic develop - operations, including the Office withstand the economic down - number of schools who earned with the number of schools and maintain an optimal rela - ment, crime reduction, and of the County Executive in turns of the future. The cata - their Maryland Green School that received certification this tionship between themselves school system restructuring Largo; and creating our own certification for the first time. year,” said Dr. Kevin M. strategies are working, and we ‘Union Station’ in New Carroll - 34 schools have joined the Maxwell, Chief Executive Of - are now positioned to take ad - ton. Is it possible? Absolutely!” Maryland Green Schools pro - ficer for PGCPS. “We have See OPPORTUNITY Page A 3 See SCHOOLS Page A 7

INSIDE My Brother’s Keeper—Two Years Nothing Compares 2 U “Activate Prosperity” From the Movie Review: Meet the Blacks Earth Talk of Expanding Opportunity and The world was formally intro - Palm of Your Hand After obtaining a great deal of Dear EarthTalk: Creating Pathways for Success duced to the budding musical genius The ‘Webinar Wednesday!’ series, money, the patriarch (Mike Epps) of MBK continues to inspire a move - signed to Warner Brothers Records which debuted on March 30th, will a black family decides they should I’m tired of binge-watching dra - ment of citizens, community leaders, with the R&B infected, falsetto pop allow residents to learn about the Eco - move from Chicago to a posh neigh - mas on Netflix. What are some of the policy makers, corporate executives, standard “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” nomic Development Corporation’s borhood in Beverly Hills. However, best environmental documentaries and elected officials who are acting At the tender age of 21, Warner Bros. tools and resources and participate in they are soon terrorized by home in - that have come out recently? with intention to ensure that all youth granted their then-new artist, Prince, workshops in real time from the con - truders who want them out of the af - —Scott Andersen, know they matter and have every op - unprecedented autonomy and creative venience of their home or office using fluent community in this comedic Joplin, MOA portunity to achieve their dreams. control over his debut album. their laptops, tablets or smartphones. spoof of the Purge films. Community , Page A3 Commentary , Page A4 Business , Page A5 Out on the Town , Page A6 Features , Page A7 A2 — May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post Towns and N EIGHBORS In and Around Morningside-Skyline by Mary McHale 301 735 3451 Neighborhoods Last meeting at Skyline Gerald, who’ll turn 99 on July it’s a mini-city with nearly 2,000 School, closing after 50 years 25. Among her other activities, residents, and 7,000 workers at PGCPS Recognized for Excellence in The Skyline Citizens Associ - she still goes to church every 30 restaurants, six hotels and ation held its quarterly meeting Sunday at Guiding Star Pente - 150 retail stores.” Financial Reportinig Wednesday, May 18, at Skyline costal Church. Now comes MGM National UPPER MARLBORO, more than just projects that im - ity of our natural resources. school. It was the last time Harbor Casino and a lot of MD—Prince George’s pact our sustainability; today, It’s going to take everyone, they’ll meet at Skyline—as a Applause! new jobs. County Public Schools we honor partnerships between from school kids to neighbors school. After half a century, it is Amanda Espina, a teacher at (PGCPS) has been awarded the County and the community to local businesses, to restore definitely closing for good in Benjamin D. Foulois Creative Changing landscape the Certificate of Achieve - that are solving environmental our water quality, and the sky - June. We don’t know if the and Performing Arts Academy The building that started out ment for Excellence in Finan - issues within our boundaries rocketing interest level in building will be available for in Morningside, has been named years ago as a Woolworth’s in cial Reporting by the Govern - and around the region.” these grants shows that the meetings in the future. Or even the 2016 Prince George’s Andrew’s Manor Shopping Cen - ment Finance Officers Established in 2014, the public is ready to be engaged!” if the building will still be there. County Teacher of the year. She ter, and which has changed busi - Association of the United Stormwater Stewardship Twenty-eight organiza - I welcome those of you who has taught in the County for ten nesses several times, has just be - States and Canada (GFOA). Grant Program focuses on two tions, communities, businesses attended, or whose kids attended, years and has been at Foulois come La Colonial International “This certificate represents specific areas including water and churches honored during Skyline school to send your spe - since 2009. Market. It will open soon. a significant accomplishment quality programs (funding the event. Following is a list cial memories of the school. The Mount Calvary Varsity Subway and the Morningside for our school district,” said from $20,000 to $200,000 per of grant recipients, amount Send to [email protected] or (14 years old & under) boys’ Barber Shop, next to GI Liquors Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief project) and citizen engage - awarded and a brief descrip - mail to 4304 Skyline Drive, Suit - basketball team won the CYO in Morningside, are open again. Executive Officer. “I am ex - ment projects ($5,000 to tion of their project. land, MD 20746. I’ll run your Mid-Atlantic Division 2 They have been closed and yel - tremely proud of our entire $50,000 per project). “Through this strongly sup - memories in my column. Championship. The team low-taped since a car plowed Business Management Serv - “Prince George’s County ported grant program, Prince To get you starting to think moved on to the Citywide into their front windows several ices team, led by Chief Finan - has become a national leader George’s is improving com - about Skyline reminiscences, Championship beating St. Am - weeks ago. cial Officer Raymond Brown, in creating cost effective, munities, water quality in local here’s my first one: brose in the first round but los - As promised, first class who consistently demonstrate green solutions for controlling waterways and engaging res - Forty years ago, in 1976, Mo - ing in the second round. postage—the forever stamp—is their professionalism, dedica - stormwater, and EPA is proud idents in steps they can take hammed Ali, Heavyweight Among South County win - now 47¢, down two cents. tion, and hard work.” to be a partner in that effort,” in their own backyards to keep Champion of the World, dropped ners in Comcast’s annual Lead - Next month, as the soil The Certificate of said EPA Regional Adminis - our County clean, healthy and by Skyline school to talk to the ers and Achievers Scholarship warms to 64 degrees, billions of Achievement is the highest trator Shawn M. Garvin. “It is green,” commented DoE Di - children, and plenty of adults Program are: Johannah Azuri, cicadas are expected to rise from form of recognition in the rewarding to see what we can rector Adam Ortiz. who just happened to be around. Oxon Hill High; David Cole, the ground to mate. Fortunately area of governmental ac - accomplish when partners To learn more about these Crossland; Andre Cook, From they can’t chew so they don’t counting and financial report - come together working toward projects and the Stormwater Fish & chips at Skyline Flea the Heart Christian; Terik Ellis, damage our plants and trees ing. This esteemed accom - a common goal.” Stewardship Grant Program, Market, May 21 Friendly; Frank Godfrey, Bishop (maybe a little pruning). This plishment was earned for the Grants totaling $2.4 million contact Lauren A. Kinard, Flea market, fish & chips, McNamara; and Anthony Thorn - particular group has a 17-year- district’s Comprehensive An - have been awarded through Public Information Specialist, hamburgers, hotdogs, snacks & ton, Suitland High School. Each life cycle, which began in 1999. nual Financial Report the program, supporting 33 Department of the Environ - refreshments—just some of was awarded $1,000. As I recall, they are noisy! (CAFR) for fiscal year 2015. on-the-ground restoration ment, (301) 883-5957, laki - what’s happening at the Skyline The annual St. Philip’s Parish During the review process, an projects that treat and control [email protected] or Jennifer Flea Market on May 21, 8 a.m. Memorial Day Mass Pastoral Council election was impartial panel assessed the stormwater, reduce nutrient Kley, Communications Asso - to 1:30 p.m. in the Morningside The annual Memorial Day held and they have two winners: report and determined the and sediment pollution from ciate, Chesapeake Bay Trust Volunteer Fire Department park - Mass at Resurrection Cemetery Elizabeth “Beth” Phillips and in - submission met the high stan - rain storms, create employ - (410-974-2941 x113), jk - ing lot. Tables are $15, and the in Clinton will be celebrated cumbent Suzy Giroux. (Suzy dards of the program, includ - ment opportunities for [email protected]; or Jana rain date is May 29. For infor - Monday, May 30, at 10 a.m., to grew up in Morningside, the ing demonstrating full disclo - County-based businesses, and Davis, Executive Director, mation, call Kenia, 301-335- honor loved ones buried there. daughter of Kathleen and the sure to clearly communicate foster citizen awareness and Chesapeake Bay Trust, 410- 2896, or Suzanne, 301-568-4465. late Dave Giroux.) Bishop Barry Knestout will be the celebrant. The Mass is usu - the PGCPS financial story. engagement in cleaning up 279-7889, [email protected]. “The financial staff under and preserving the County’s To view and download event People Shred Days ally celebrated under a large tent, I have been using the heading Andrews Federal Credit so rain will not cancel the event. the leadership of Vittorio natural resources. photos, visit www.flickr.com/ “Neighbors” on this item. But it Union Community Shred Day, Weeks, Director of Business “Maryland Department of photos/pgcsprout. doesn’t always work, since many Operations, continues to the Environment congratulates 5711 Allentown Road, on May Milestones Stormwater Stewardship are really not my neighbors. So, Happy birthday to Aidan demonstrate exemplary skill Prince George’s County for 21, 10am –1pm. Info, AFCU, Grant Program Honorees: “People” covers everyone. 301-702-5500. Kilbride, May 20; Crystal Fos - and professionalism in execut - storming ahead as an environ - ing accounting and reporting mental leader in innovation Accokeek First Church Morningside volunteer fire - Camp Springs Civic Associ - ter, Juanita Hood, David San - This proj - requirements for the school and collaboration, from fi - of God, $75,000: fighter Kevin Swain is home and ation/Central Baptist Church ford and Linda Holsonbake, ect will implement the Alter - system,” said Raymond nancing and public-private recovering. He was one of three Community Shred Day, May 21, May 22; Ricci Lee Jr., Betty native Compliance program Brown, Chief Financial Offi - partnerships to active engage - shot while attempting to enter a 10am –2 p.m. at Central Baptist Call, L. Dorothy Jones, Nancy that includes installing cer. “The recognition by ment with faith-based, civic Temple Hills home where they be - Church, 5600 Old Branch Av - Sawyer, Dory Babecki and stormwater best management GFOA confirms what we al - and non-profit communities,” lieved a man was nonresponsive enue. Info: 240-427-5414. Chester Lanehart IV, May 23; practices (BMPs), providing ready know about this extraor - said Ben Grumbles, Maryland and needed emergency treatment. Edna Lucas and Harry Messer, outreach workshops to resi - dinary group of employees.” Secretary of the Environment. John Ulmschneider, a 13-year vet - Looking for a job? May 24; Dennis Cook, Norma dents and fostering good During its inaugural year, eran of the County Fire Depart - Check out the National Harbor Edwards and my son John housekeeping practices. ment died; the third man, brother Job Fair, May 24, 10 a.m. to 4 McHale, May 25; and Christo - Recipients of $2.4 Million 13 grants totaling $1,050,000 were awarded through the pro - Alice Ferguson Founda - of the shooter, was wounded. This p.m. on nationalharbor.com/jobs pher Nichols, May 26. in Grants Honored Project funding LARGO , MD—U.S. Envi - gram. Of which, $242,219 sup - tion, $212,808: happened in mid-April and a week or mgmnationalharbor.com. Happy anniversary to Dennis supported Prince George’s ronmental Protection Agency ported education and outreach or two later, a big gathering was It’s hard to imagine that just and Leigh D’Avanzo, their 27th Green’s development and im - (EPA) Regional Administrator projects that increase citizen held at the Morningside Fire De - ten years ago, as the Washington on May 20; Ronnie and Karen plementation of a clean water Shawn M. Garvin, Maryland awareness of watershed issues partment, in Kevin’s honor. Post says, “what is now National Ellis, their Golden Anniversary, course for County residents in - Department of the Environ - and/or engage citizens in ac - Yvonne Garvin, of Skyline, Harbor was 350 acres of unde - May 20; and John and Nichole terested in stormwater manage - ment (MDE) Secretary Ben tion projects; and, $807,781 is proud of her mom, Virginia veloped waterfront land. Today, Barbour. May 25. ment and employment, and will Grumbles, and Prince George’s funded the construction of wa - fund the construction of rooftop County Council Member Mary ter quality projects with an em - rainwater collection system, Lehman joined Prince phasis on practices that treat cistern, rain garden and Brandywine-Aquasco George’s County Department impervious surfaces including bioswale at AFF’s Potomac by Audrey Johnson 301 888 2153 of the Environment (DoE) Di - green roofs, stormwater wet - Watershed Study Center. rector Adam Ortiz and Chesa - land creation and enhance - HORSEBACK AN EVENING OF JAZZ or want to learn new ones, come peake Bay Trust Executive Di - ment, streamside forest Alliance for the Chesa - RIDING CAMP AND RELAXATION on out. Line dancing is great fun rector Jana Davis, for a special buffers, and bioretention cells, peake Bay, Inc.; $156,926: Tree canopy enhancement Baden Community Center Celebrate with dad, husband and exercise and is offered on ceremony recognizing recipi - bioswales and rain gardens. throughout the County is the fo - offers a horseback riding and significant other Saturday, Wednesdays—$7 class drop-in- ents of the Prince George’s “Nurturing the next gener - cus of this project, which sup - camp that includes horse care, June 18, 2016 from 6:00 PM –8:00 fee anytime. Line dancing is of - County Stormwater Steward - ation of stewards while im - ports the planting of 750 trees riding instructions and various PM. You will enjoy jazz music fered May 11 –June 15 $40/$48 ship Grants. Prince George’s proving and preserving our wa - and funds faith-based education other activities at Hideaway featuring vocalist Anita King and (1645645), June 22 –July 27 County neighborhoods, faith- tersheds is essential to our workshops on stormwater man - Horse Center, 12301 Cross - friends at Family Life Center, $40/$52 (1650992) and August based organizations, non-prof - County’s environmental health. agement best practices. road Trail, Brandywine, Mary - New Hope Fellowship Parish— 3–September 7 (1650993). Thurs - its and residents were honored I am thrilled to see Prince land. Telephone number is 15601 Brooks Church Road, Up - day make up day at 7:00 PM. The during the event that was held George’s collaborating and Anacostia Riverkeeper; To improve water 301-782-3200. per Marlboro, Maryland 20772. address is Baden Community at Behnke Nurseries Garden working hand-in-hand with our $27,715: quality in the Anacostia water - Rev. Constance Smith is our Pas - Center, 13601 Baden-Westwood Center in Beltsville. municipalities, places of wor - FREE BONE shed, this project will focus on tor. Donation is $35.00. There will Road, Brandywine, Maryland Behnke is one of the re - ship, and community and en - DENSITY SCREENING the installation of stormwater be door prizes. Hors d’oeuvres 20613. Telephone number is 301- gion’s top garden centers and vironmental groups on such a MedStar Southern Maryland harvest and re-use systems, and and punch will be served. Tickets 888-1500, TTY 301-203-6030. also a grant recipient. Project variety of projects,” said Coun - Center is offering a free bone stormwater BMP education. available through Eventbrite.com, funding supported the instal - cilwoman Mary A. Lehman. density screening on June 10. the church office (301) 888-2171, Anacostia Watershed So - CAR SHOW lation of an eye-catching Rain In 2015, 20 grants totaling The test will tell if you are at Project fund - or Dottymae (301) 372-8986. Quartermasters Racing Team Check Rebate Living Class - $1,350,000 were awarded; of ciety; $48,000: risk for osteoporosis or bone ing supported a Prince presents a Car Show (cars, room at the nursery showcas - which, $149,608 funded citi - fracture. Please call 301-374- ST. PHILIP’S CHURCH George’s County Watershed trucks, tractors, motorcycles) ing stormwater management zen engagement projects, and 9098 to reserve your spot. Join us Friday, May 27, 2016, Stewards Academy that pro - and a day of fun, good food and best practice demonstrations $1,200,392 supported water Friday, June 13, 2016, and Friday, vided education and training music on Sunday, July 17, 2016. including cisterns, rain barrels, quality programs. WESTPHALIA June 24, 2016 for Line dancing of County residents in water - The location is 20605 Aquasco urban tree canopies, rain gar - “The Trust is proud to be a WOMEN’S DAY at St. Philip’s Church. The time shed protection issues, design Join us Sunday, May 22, Road, Aquasco, Maryland in the dens, permeable pavement and partner with Prince George’s is 7:00 PM –9:00 PM. Church ad - and construction of restoration 2016 for Women’s Day Cele - large field next to Adam’s Fu - green roofs. County in engaging residents dress is 13801 Baden Westwood projects preventing stormwa - bration. Guest preachers will neral Home. Registration is open Prince George’s County and making a difference on the Road, Brandywine, Maryland ter runoff, and to implement be Rev. Stephanie Jennings from 9:00 AM –12 noon. Executive Rushern L. Baker, ground,” said Jana Davis, Ex - 20613-8426. Cost is $3.00. Tele - their “capstone” projects. Strafford at 8:00 AM and Rev. phone number is 301-888-1536. Entry fee is $20 for car, driver III congratulated the grantees ecutive Director of the Chesa - Dr. Debyii L. Sababu-Thomas, and one passenger. Spectators fee and noted that “Prince peake Bay Trust. “These City of College Park; Grant funds will sup - PhD at 10:30 AM. Rev. Dr. is $5.00. For more information, George’s is thrilled to work grants leverage so much $66,180: BADEN port the installation of Timothy West, Senior Pastor. contact (301) 653-6710 or (301) with the Chesapeake Bay Trust power from the community to COMMUNITY CENTER stormwater BMPs (bioreten - Church address is 9363 Join Ms. Jonnetta for a fun 633-3536. Not responsible for to advance environmental add to the fantastic work D’Arcy Road, Upper Marl - evening of dance, shake, spin and any liability issues or damages stewardship in our County. Prince George’s is already un - while on premises. No alcohol, boro, Maryland. Telephone shuffle. If you are just learning, This special event showcases dertaking to improve the qual - See Neighborhoods, Page A 5 number is 301-735-9373. need to brush up on favorite steps, drugs, pets or glass containers. May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post —A 3 COMMUNITY

Practical Money Skills My Brother’s Keeper—Two Years of Expanding By Nathaniel Sillin Opportunity a• Inn Judly 20C15, rEDe anad DtOiJ nDgep aPrtmaentt ihs swponsaoriyng sa fpoactr o f Smisusincg jcuste 2 sdas ys a By PRESS OFFICER announced the “Second Chance Summit on Preventing Youth Vi - month of school. U.S. Department of Education Getting Your Finances Pell” pilot program that will en - olence, presented by the Na - In just over 3 months, the first WASHINGTON , D.C.—Two able incarcerated Americans to tional Forum on Youth Violence group of 10 MBK Success Men - Ready for Adoption years have passed since the Pres - receive Pell Grants to finance the Prevention and the My Brother’s tor cities have provided mentors The decision to start a family ident signed a Presidential Mem - postsecondary education and Keeper Task Force. This national to over 7,400 chronically absent is a joyful event. However, par - orandum in 2014 establishing the training that may be instrumental convening will bring together 6th and 9th graders to drive suc - ents considering adoption should My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) in securing employment, stabil - over 600 participants represent - cess. This program stems from consider advance planning for a Task Force (the Task Force), a co - ity, and self-sufficiency. ing more than 30 cities, includ - an evidence-based model that range of financial issues unique ordinated Federal effort to address ing many communities that have has been implemented in NYC to the process and the child they persistent opportunity gaps faced Place-Based State and accepted the MBK Community and elsewhere. The next phase hope to bring into their home. by boys and young men of color Local Engagement Challenge. Participants include of this campaign will expand to and ensure that all young people • New York State—In April, youth and young adults, public College Success Mentors— According to the U.S. Depart - can reach their full potential. with a $20 million budget meas - and private organizations, key where students who qualify for ment of Health and Human Serv - In response to the President’s ure, New York became the first national and local government federal work study will be paid ices, the costs of adopting call to action, nearly 250 com - state to fund its own statewide officials, and other critical stake - to support chronically absent (https://www.childwelfare.gov) munities in all 50 states have ac - program inspired by the federal holders. The participating cities high school students in high need may be a few hundred dollars or cepted the President’s My My Brother’s Keeper initiative. will share effective and promis - communities near their colleges. can easily exceed $40,000 based on the form of adoption you choose. Brother’s Keeper Community • Boston—the “Mayor’s ing multi-dimensional ap - Expulsion and Suspension in So how do you get your finances ready for adoption? By Challenge; more than $600 mil - Mentoring Movement” has proaches to addressing violence Early Childhood Settings Re - doing your homework and making sure the price and processing lion in private sector and phil - reached 90% of its goal to recruit that include prevention, interven - port: Today, the U.S. Department work of adoption—all adoption resources, rules and requirements anthropic grants and in-kind re - 1,000 new mentors. tion, enforcement, and reentry. of Health and Human Services is differ locallywon’t eclipse other essential financial goals like re - sources and $1 billion in • Philadelphia—10,000 These strategies also emphasize releasing a new report that high - tirement, saving for your future child’s education and of course, low-interest financing have been teens and young adults were cross-jurisdictional engagements lights nine states and local com - the higher daily living expenses common to all new families. committed in alignment with hired for jobs and internships among the justice, public health, munities around the country that Start with these tips: MBK; and new federal policy as part of the 2015 Summer education, housing, business, are taking important steps to ad - Evaluate your own finances first. It’s generally a good idea initiatives, grant programs, and Jobs Challenge. and other sectors. This year, the dress expulsion and suspension to work with qualified financial or tax experts to evaluate whether guidance are being implemented • Compton—the “Compton Summit will have a specific in early learning settings. Their you can manage adoption costs from savings or grants you don’t to ensure that every child has a Empowered” Gang Violence in - MBK focus to highlight Mile - actions range from passing new have to pay back. Starting a family is a major overall financial clear pathway to success from tervention program resulted in a stone 6: Reducing Violence and legislation to restricting expul - commitment no matter what path you take to build yours. cradle to college and career. decrease in homicides of nearly Providing a Second Chance. sions and suspensions in state Since MBK’s first anniver - 50% from 2014 to 2015. The Summit will be live- preschool programs and revising The federal government Know the tax benefits of adoption. sary report a little more than one • Detroit—City leaders have streamed and then followed up regulations to improve the social- offers tax breaks for adoption, but you need to study and follow year ago, more than 50 addi - outlined a plan over the next five with webinars that highlight is - emotional and behavioral sup - the rules. According to the IRS, tax benefits for adoption include tional communities have ac - years to employ 5,000 additional sues of particular significance. ports children in child care pro - both a tax credit for qualified adoption expenses paid to adopt an cepted the My Brother’s Keeper men of color in high growth in - grams receive, to investing in eligible child and an exclusion from income for employer-pro - National Service and Social Community Challenge, includ - dustries and enroll 90% of four- —The Corporation expanding coaching programs - vided adoption assistance. The credit is nonrefundable, meaning Innovation ing those in seven new states, in - year-olds in preschool. for National and Community such as early childhood mental that it is limited to one’s tax liability for the year. Any credit in dependent private sector support • 40 school districts across the Service (CNCS) will invest health consultation- that build excess of tax liability may be carried for up to five years. Adop - for grants and in-kind resources country have committed to re - nearly $11 million to fund teacher capacity in supporting tions of special needs children may qualify for special treatment. has more than doubled to more forming discipline policies. Mi - AmeriCorps and Social Innova - children’s development and pre - Visit IRS.gov for more details. than $600 million, and more than ami-Dade School District an - tion Fund programs that support vent expulsions. In December of Check your workplace benefits. A 2013 Aon Hewitt study 80% of the recommendations the nounced it will eliminate My Brother’s Keeper. Over the 2014, the U.S. Departments of said only 12 percent of U.S. employers offered a financial adop - MBK Task Force sent to the out-of-school suspensions begin - next three years, more than 120 Health and Human Services and tion benefit in 1990 rising to 52 percent. Check with your em - President two years ago are com - ning this school year. AmeriCorps VISTA members Education released the first fed - ployer to see whether they offer adoption benefits, and factor plete or on track. will serve within communities eral policy statement on expul - those benefits into your overall financial plan. Today, the MBK Task Force Private Sector Action that have accepted the Presi - sion and suspension, which is - Know your legal costs. Adoption is a legal process, and de - released its second year report • During the 2016 White dent’s MBK Community Chal - sued a series of recommendations pending on the kind of adoption process you pursue, it is wise to [www.whitehouse.gov/MBK - House Science Fair, more than lenge to help young people reach to prevent and ultimately elimi - work with an attorney to make sure your application is in order turnstwo] and announced a series 100 different organizations an - their full potential. These new nate expulsion and suspension and your rights are being protected. of new commitments highlight - nounced new, independent partnerships with the MBK Al - from early learning settings. To - ing continued progress. This re - commitments to expand oppor - liance, the Michigan Community day, building on the Administra - Think about insurance. Life and health insurance options port tracks progress achieved in tunity for students, including need to be reviewed for cost and thoroughness of coverage before Service Commission, the City of tion’s “Rethink Discipline” ef - the past year on efforts to make more than $50 million in you begin the adoption process. Life insurance may come up as Santa Fe and the cities of St. Paul forts and to continue the forward a measurable difference in the “MBK STEM + Entrepreneur - part of the estate-planning process, but health insurance in par - and Minneapolis and other non - progress to eliminate expulsions lives of young people. These pri - ship” commitments. ticular requires special consideration in case the child you plan profits in Minnesota are valued and suspensions in early learning orities fall into three interdepend - • Opportunity Finance Net - to adopt has medical or developmental needs. at more than $2 million. In ad - settings, a group of more than 30 ent priorities articulated by the work has invested more than dition, CNCS, through its Social national organizations, led by the Evaluate available adoption grants. Various community President: (1) engaging state and $470 million in financing for Innovation Fund, will invest National Association for the Ed - groups, religious organizations and nonprofit organizations and local communities; (2) increasing deals impacting youth of color. more than $8.5 million to sup - ucation of Young Children, pub - foundations may be a resource of grant funding for the adoption engagement by businesses, phil - • Equal Opportunity Schools’ port nearly 40 organizations fo - lished a joint statement in support process. Work with trusted advisors to find out if these resources anthropic organizations, and non - “Lead Higher” has invested cused on providing evidence- of those recommendations. are reliable and could help you afford your adoption. profits; and (3) reviewing and re - more than $30 million towards based solutions to decrease Network and learn. Many communities and organizations forming public policy. it $100 million commitment to opportunity gaps facing boys and New announcements from the sponsor support and planning groups for parents of adopted kids identify and enroll 100,000 low- young men of color and other private sector include: and those planning to adopt. Depending on the adoption avenue Highlights of collective progress income students and students of vulnerable youth. In addition to Laura and John Arnold you’re considering, make it a point to get to know parents who made this year include: color in AP and IB courses. those announced today, many Foundation (LJAF) Evidence- have already gone through the process to understand all sides of Federal Policy Review • Foundations have invested other CNCS programs support Based Grants: LJAF is launch - what their lives as adoptive parents are like—make your learning and Reform $100 million towards their MBK goals, including United ing a competition to encourage process about more than the money. • The MBK School Success $200M commitment. We Serve, the President’s Call state and local agencies to im - Mentor Initiative, a partnership • In May 2015, a group of pri - to Service, which recently plement social programs that Bottom line: Adoption is one of life’s most rewarding events. between the Department of edu - vate sector leaders joined to - launched Mentor.gov, an online have been rigorously shown to The amount of financial planning you can do to support your adop - cation and Johns Hopkins Uni - gether to launch the My search engine to connect Amer - produce important positive im - tion process will help give your new family the best possible start. versity, will pair 250,000 6th and Brother’s Keeper Alliance icans to mentoring opportunities. pacts on the lives of young peo - 9th graders with trained mentors (MBKA), a nonprofit that sup - New MBK Success Mentor ple of color and other at-risk in - in 30 communities that accepted ports boys and young men of Initiative Cities: The MBK dividuals. Consistent with the Prior to County Executive the MBK Community Chal - Opportunity from A1 color. The founding Board of Di - Success Mentors Initiative, a President’s call in launching My Baker’s speech, Mr. Coleman lenge. At full scale, when oper - rectors collectively committed partnership between the Depart - Brother’s Keeper to build on lysts for this growth include: highlighted how the Administra - ating in grades K –12 across dis - $80 million in in-kind and finan - ment of Education and Johns “actual evidence of what works,” instilling integrity and confi - tion has positioned the County tricts, the model aims to reach cial donations to support the or - Hopkins University, is rapidly LJAF’s Moving the Needle com - dence in County government to Activate Prosperity and ac - over one million students within ganization’s mission. expanding nationwide to raise petition will award a total of up by implementing ethics re - centuate its valuable opportuni - the next 3 –5 years. MBK continues to inspire a student attendance and achieve - to $15 million to help expand form; streamlining the permit - ties for County residents and • More than 70 National Labs movement of citizens, commu - ment in our highest needs com - such evidence-based programs, ting process and establishing businesses. Mr. Coleman also in 20 states opened their facilities nity leaders, policy makers, cor - munities. Today it announced the and fund rigorous evaluations to an agency specifically de - shared with the over capacity to more than 3,500 youth from porate executives, and elected addition of 20 new MBK Suc - determine whether their effects signed to address permitting, crowd how the Economic De - nearby neighborhoods, including officials who are acting with in - cess Mentor cities nationwide— can be successfully reproduced inspections and enforcement; velopment Corporation contin - MBK Community Challenge ac - tention to ensure that all youth for a total of 30 cities, all of so as to make significant head - launching the Transforming ues work to retain and grow cur - ceptors, for the inaugural MBK know they matter and have every which will gather at the White way against poverty, educational Neighborhoods Initiative; es - rent employers, executes the & Council on Women and Girls opportunity to achieve their House and off-site on June 8 for failure, violence, and other crit - tablishing the $50 million County’s tailored acquisition National Week at the Labs. dreams. This report and an - the National MBK Success Men - ical problems. Economic Development In - strategy targeting information • As part of the Administra - nouncements are a testament to tor & Student Support Summit, RISE for Boys and Men of centive Fund; and appointing technology, healthcare and life tion’s Summer Opportunity Proj - the progress and achievements part of the Every Student, Every Color: RISE is awarding grants a highly accomplished Chief sciences, business services and ect, in February 2016 DOL that have resulted from the Pres - Day campaign to eliminate to nine scholars for field scans Executive Officer to improve federal government agencies, launched a new $20 million grant ident’s leadership in creating chronic absenteeism. At full to understand the key interven - school performance. and is winning new businesses competition that will be awarded MBK. The Task Force and lead - scale, when operating in grades tions and policies that improve “Today was an opportunity to to the County every day. to approximately 10 communities ers across the country remain K–12 across districts, the model life outcomes for boys and men celebrate the leadership that “This is an exciting time to for innovative approaches that pro - hard at work to drive progress aims to reach over one million of color. Scholars will review lit - County Executive Baker has be in Prince George’s County,” vide young people with summer and ambition on behalf of our students within the next 3 –5 erature in education, health, ju - brought to Prince George’s said Jim Estepp, President and and year-round jobs and connect youth during the third year of years. The initiative also in - venile and criminal justice, hu - County,” said EDC President CEO, Greater Prince George’s them to career pathways. CNCS this collective effort. cludes a national Ad Council man services, economic and CEO Jim Coleman. “From Business Roundtable. “Not has committed $15 million in ex - Campaign, which was an - opportunity and workforce de - crime and unemployment to job only is the quality of life at an isting Segal AmeriCorps Educa - New announcements from the nounced in February. The cam - velopment to identify interven - creation and business growth; all-time high, but economic tion Awards over the next three MBK Task Force and federal paign, which is currently being tions that have been found, or everything that should be down development is really cranking years to launch Summer Oppor - agencies include: rolled out, will be featured on show great promise, to expand is down and everything that up. Without a doubt, we are tunity AmeriCorps that will enable Summit on Preventing bill boards, bus kiosks, and so - should be up is up. This is the going to be the regional leader up to 20,000 youth to gain new Youth Violence: On June 27 –29 cial media nationwide to alert way things should be.” in the foreseeable future.” skills and earn money for college. in Baltimore, MD, the Justice parents about the devastating im - See SUCCESS Page A 5 A4 — May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post COMMENTARY

Seabrook Schoolhouse Marc Morial, President and CEO National Urban League

Nothing Compares 2 U “Dearly, beloved. We are gathered here today Lover.” At the tender age of 21, Warner Bros. to get through this thing called life. Electric word granted their then-new artist, Prince, unprecedented “life.” It means forever, and that’s a mighty long autonomy and creative control over his debut album. time. But I’m here to tell you, there’s something It would be a freedom he would not enjoy for long. else: the after world. A world of never ending In the 90s, Prince engaged in a very public war happiness; you can always see the sun, day or with Warner Bros. over control of his music and night … ‘Cause in this life, things are much harder his name—going to the extreme of scrawling the than in the after world. In this life you’re on your word “slave” on his cheek and referring to himself Open to the Public own. And if the elevator tries to bring you down, as “the Artist Formerly Known as Prince,” or an go crazy, punch a higher floor.” unpronounceable glyph until he was freed from PHOTO CREDIT: ??? —Prince and the Revolution, his contract. Prince would go on to sign with Tidal, SEABROOK SCHOOLHOUSE “Let’s Go Crazy,” Purple Rain , 1984 the music streaming service part-owned by Jay Z. The Seabrook Schoolhouse was built in 1896 by the residents of the Seabrook community and provided education In a 1996 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, for grades one through eight until the early 1950s. This one-room schoolhouse is one of the few surviving one- It was July 4, 2014. The Essence Music Festival Prince explained, “People think I’m a crazy fool room schoolhouses in Prince George’s. The building is unique in that it was built to resemble the Victorian Gothic architectural style of the cottages that were originally built in the community. The schoolhouse has been restored was marking its 20th anniversary. The headliner for writing ‘slave’ on my face. But if I can’t do and continues its legacy of education. It is open for tours by appointment and features a multi-faceted, overall pro - of the annual celebration of African-American what I want to do, what am I? When you stop a gram that includes interpretive exhibits and artifacts and programs. Located at 6116 Seabrook Road, Lanham, MD. music and culture was none other than Prince. I man from dreaming, he becomes a slave. That’s For further information, call Marietta House Museum at 301-464-5291. had the privilege of seeing Prince in concert that where I was. I don’t own Prince’s music. If you hot summer Louisiana night—or should I say, I don’t own your masters, your master owns you.” was lucky enough to experience the tour de force Prince’s fight for control over his material was and phenomenon, whose sudden and untimely not about Prince. Like everything Prince has ever death we mourn today. done, it was about a greater cause and a greater Prince was a star in every sense of the word. good that touched the lives of hundreds, thousands He was a maverick who defined and redefined or millions. He would also use his fame and his musical genres; an icon, whose influence could famous voice to become an outspoken critic of be felt in every in every corner of the globe; an racial injustice in our country. After protests over Child Watch outsider who defied the profit structure and control the death of a Black man at the hands of police of the very industry that propelled him to interna - officers in Baltimore, Prince penned a tribute to by Marion Wright Edelman tional megastardom; and an advocate who seam - Freddie Gray that included the line, “Does any - lessly connected his music to the fight for racial body hear us pray for Michael Brown or Freddie justice, including reminding a Grammy audience Gray?” As revealed by Al Sharpton, Prince also that, “Albums still matter. Like books and Black sent money to the family of Trayvon Martin after Stories of Mother Love lives, albums still matter—tonight and always.” the teen’s shooting death. Van Jones recalled that There was more to Prince than pop masterpieces, Prince would only play the 2014 Essence Music “They didn ’t want me to have headed by grandparents. Even help children recover from the provocative lyrics and purple rain. I could employ Festival if the organizers agreed to host a Walter because of my age. But I when parents also live in the trauma in their lives. every word in the dictionary to describe the man, but hackathon of YesWeCode, Jones’ non-profit that finally convinced them that age home many grandparents as - Congress has taken some im - it would prove easier, and perhaps truer, to say that encourages urban youth, particularly young Black has nothing to do with love… sume the parental role. Nearly portant steps to increase support nothing compared to Prince. And nothing ever will. men and women to learn how to code. Prince What I had to give was love. And half of these children are living for children being raised by kin The son of a bandleader and a singer, Prince was as much an advocate as he was an artist. that ’s what Walter needed … I with grandparents who say they and hopefully will do more this Rogers Nelson was a musical prodigy. He began We are saddened at the loss of this musical gi - never doubted that I could help are responsible for their grand - year. In 2008, Congress pro - playing piano and writing music while he was in ant, a man who refused to be defined or confined Walter. Never, if they gave me children, and close to a million vided funds for Guardianship elementary school. He was signed to a local Min - in any area of his life, this risk-taker, prodigy and the chance. If you have the have no parent present in the Assistance Payments for rela - neapolis band while other teenagers were stressing genius. But we have his musical legacy to console courage and the faith and the home. More than a third of the tives who had cared for children over high school prom dates. The world was for - us, because as Prince reminds us in “1999”: “Life strength God will do the rest. ” 1.6 million grandmothers who as foster parents for at least six mally introduced to the budding musical genius is just a party and parties weren’t meant to last.” Mrs. Viola Dees epitomized say they are responsible for months and were committed to signed to Warner Brothers Records with the R&B mother love, and her story has grandchildren are like Mrs. caring for them permanently. infected, falsetto pop standard “I Wanna Be Your May he rest in purple peace. stayed with me since 2000 when Dees—over 60 years old. So The Family First Act being pro - 89-year-old Mrs. Dees and her many children have been di - posed by Senators Orrin Hatch 9-year-old grandson Walter verted from the child welfare (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D- were the subjects of the Acad - system to live with a grandpar - OR), Chair and Ranking Mem - CITY OF SEAT PLEASANT emy Award-winning documen - ent and sometimes their grand - ber of the Senate Finance Com - NOTICE OF A PROPOSED tary Big Mama . It followed Mrs. parents are their foster parents mittee, would reach a broader Dees’ struggles to keep a prom - or legal guardians. group of children at risk of REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE ise to her late son and raise Wal - Grandparents and other rela - placement in foster care who ter in an effort to keep him out tives often step in because the could be well cared for by rela - of the child welfare system. children’s needs are great and tives. It would help with time- The Mayor and City Council of Seat Pleasant propose to increase real prop - Mrs. Dees gained custody of they want to keep their family limited mental health, substance erty taxes. Walter when he was 4. His together. Of the more than abuse prevention and treatment, mother was addicted to crack 415,000 children in foster care, and in-home parent support cocaine before he was born and three quarters are in foster fam - services, and for some, kinship 1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2016 the estimated real property Walter spent time in foster care ily homes—29 percent with rel - navigator services and short- assessable base will increase by 4.4 % from 250,399,828 to before he went to live with his atives. Some of these foster term financial assistance. And, 261,499,591. grandmother. The documentary mothers and fathers care for as an alternative to foster care, shows her determined efforts to children short term—others funds also would be available to fight constant bureaucratic con - much longer. Over half of the help children remain safely with 2. If the City of Seat Pleasant maintains the current tax rate of $.58 per cerns about her age and do children adopted in 2014 were their birth parents. $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 4.4% everything a growing boy adopted by their foster parents. My own mother fostered chil - resulting in $64,379 of new real property tax revenues. needed, including keeping up Like all mothers, those stepping dren and finding another child in with him at the playground and into that role need help to offer catching his rebounds as he children unconditional love, per - 3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real played basketball. In the turmoil manence, and special services to See WATCH, Page A 10 property tax should be reduced to $ .5554, the constant yield rate. and uncertainty after Mrs. Dees suffered a heart attack Walter 4. The City is considering not reducing its real property tax rate set fire to their home and was The Prince George’s Post admitted to a psychiatric hospi - enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The City proposes tal—yet even then his grand - The Prince George’s Post to adopt a real property tax rate of $.58 per $100 of assessment. This mother stood by him and was P.O. Box 1001 15207 Marlboro Pike tax rate is 4.4% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will heartbroken as he was commit - Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-3151 ted to a residential facility and generate $64,379 in additional property tax revenues. Phone: 301-627-0900 • Legal Fax: 301-627-6260 taken out of her care. I’ve car - Email: [email protected] ried that picture of Mrs. Dees A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be with me for these past 16 years, Contents © 2016, The Prince George’s Post held at 5:30 pm on Tuesday May 24, 2016 at City Hall, 6301 Addison Road watching him shoot hoops and sticking by him until her end. Publisher/Senior Editor Editor Seat Pleasant, Maryland 20743. Legusta Floyd Michal W. Frangia Mrs. Dees faced dramatic Typesetter/Page Layout challenges, but in her love, General Manager/ Jennifer Sheckels The hearing is open to the public and public testimony is encouraged. Per - tenacity, and absolute uncondi - Legal Advertising Manager Brenda Boice Staff Writer sons with questions regarding this hearing may call (301) 336-2600 for fur - tional dedication to Walter she Christina Williams was far from alone. On Mother’s ther information. Legal Advertising Assistant Web Manager Day and every day we must re - Robin Boerckel Kyler Quesenberry member and celebrate not just birth mothers but grandmothers, Prince George’s County, Md. Member National Newspaper Publishers Association, adoptive mothers, foster moth - and the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Press Association. ers, aunts, sisters, cousins, and The Prince George’s Post (ISSN 10532226) is published every Thursday by all those with a mothering spirit the New Prince George’s Post Inc., 15207 Marlboro Pike, The Prince George’s Post who have reached out to raise Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151. and care for children who need Subscription rate: 25 cents per single copy; $15 per year; Call (301) 627-0900 | Fax (301) 627-6260 them and made those children $7.50 senior citizens and students; out of county add $1; out of state add $2. their own. Periodical postage paid at Southern Md. 20790. More than 5.8 million chil - Postmaster, send address changes to Prince George’s Post, P.O. Box 1001, Serving Prince George’s County Since 1932 Upper Marlboro, Md. 20772-3151. dren are living in households May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post —A 5 BUSINESS

The American Counseling Association’s “Activate Prosperity” From the Palm of Counseling Corner Your Hand EDC’s New Series EDC’s President & CEO Jim Coleman Introduces Weekly ‘Webinar Wednesdays!’ Taking Steps to Improve Series to Empower Job Seekers and Business Owners

By R. JOSHUA REYNOLDS hands by leveraging technol - Self-Esteem PGCEDC ogy and utilizing the expertise Self-esteem is simply your evaluation of your own worth. Feel - of the EDC staff!” ing good about yourself is vital to living a happy, healthy life. LARGO , MD—EDC Presi - The webinars, facilitated by When someone has low self-esteem, seeing little of value in dent & CEO, Jim Coleman an - EDC Small Business and Job themselves, it can lead to depression, cause someone to fall nounced a new way for business Search experts, will take place short of their true potential, and cause the person to tolerate owners and job seekers in every Wednesday from 1:00 abusive situations and relationships. Prince George’s County to ‘Ac - PM –1:30 PM and will alternate Most people need to build their self-esteem. It helps us to tivate Prosperity’ from the palm between job seeker and business feel confident and self-assured, and helps us to relax with others of the hands or computers. The owner topics. and be more comfortable with who we are and how we interact ‘Webinar Wednesday!’ series, Upcoming webinars for job with others. which debuted on March 30th, seekers will cover topics includ - will allow residents to learn The problem often is that we aren’t good at evaluating at ing: how to find a job using the about the Economic Develop - self-worth, and we will use certain behaviors that tend to rein - Maryland Workforce Exchange ment Corporation’s tools and re - force feelings of low self-esteem. site, how to use social media to PHOTO COURTESY R. JOSHUA REYNOLDS sources and participate in work - promote skills and abilities, and One such behavior is “waiting for the perfect moment.” Kisha Logan, Manager of Small Business Services conducts a shops in real time from the how to make your resume reflect Rather than living in the present, we feel we have to wait until webinar for business owners convenience of their home or your value. we are smarter, richer, happier or a whole bunch of “anything- office using their laptops, er” before we take action. But if we go ahead and do things, in - Upcoming webinars for tablets or smartphones. business owners will cover top - Career Consultant in the EDC’s Williams, Workshop Facilitator stead of waiting for the elusive perfect moment, we usually find “There should be no excuse Workforce Development will for the EDC’s Workforce Serv - that we start feeling smarter, richer and happier after all. ics including: how to write a for why our residents don’t business plan, how to use social be the primary facilitators of ices Division, who will present Another contributor to low self-esteem is when we ignore have the information they need media for brand building, and the webinars. on topics in their respective spe - our own needs. While pleasing someone else can make us to be prosperous,” said Presi - how to obtain free media for Special guest facilitators will cialty areas. feel good, that isn’t true if helping others always means we dent Coleman. “I am excited your business. include Britta Vander Linden, To view the schedule of up - are putting our own needs on hold. Sometimes it’s important that we can reach thousands of Kisha Logan, EDC’s Man - EDC’s Chief of Staff, R. Joshua coming webinars and to join in, to recognize and voice our wants and to ask for help in small our residents on their comput - ager of Small Business Services Reynolds, EDC’s Communica - please visit the website at ways. Self-esteem increases when our relationships become ers or even the palm of their and Vernice Gonzalez, Lead tions Specialist, and Norma www.pgcedc.com/events. more reciprocal. We also hold ourselves back from higher levels of self- get to school every day. Students aims grams and provide remote and esteem when we try to hard to make everything perfect. While Success fromA3 • Make Music Count: will have the opportunity to join to increase elementary and sec - full emersion learning environ - it’s nice to get it all right, it’s also okay to make mistakes. Self- opportunity for African Ameri - the “Get Schooled Breakfast ondary students’ mathematical ments at the facilities. esteem rises when we are able to view life as a work-in-progress can, American Indian, Alaskan Club” and receive a mix of inspi - skill development through piano • Over the next year, that allows us to live and play in the moment. Student Native, Asian American, Pacific rational, humorous and celebrity playing and reducing their math Dream will provide training, Another step toward better self-esteem is simply to take Islander, and Latino boys and fueled text messages each week. anxiety. By incorporating music mentorship and capital resources chances. When we stay safe all the time inside our comfort men. This nearly $400,000 in - A diverse group of entertainers into each lesson, students be - to collegiate founders of color zone we end up not progressing. Trying something new can vestment is the first step in a have joined the Get Schooled come engaged through music and support Historically Black make us feel uncomfortable, but it also can bring a sense of ac - larger grant making effort to in - Breakfast Club, donating their while simultaneously learning Colleges and Universities in complishment when we succeeds. And even with a failure, we form evaluators and researchers time and talent to offer students a mathematical concepts. We offer their efforts to create over 500 can feel good about being brave enough to take a new step. working with boys and men of morning boost. Students will re - our curriculum to 20 schools in new collegian led startups over Trying something, anything, is almost always better than color, including communities that ceive exclusive photos paired with Connecticut, Washington D.C., the next five years. staying stuck. The more things you try and the more chances have accepted the President’s My a handwritten inspirational mes - and Georgia to reach more than • PROMISE: Maryland’s you take, the more opportunities you give yourself to feel proud Brother’s Keeper Challenge. sage from some of their favorite 600 students in 3rd—9th grade. NSF Alliance for Graduate Edu - and to improve your self-esteem. RISE is a 3-year, $10 million ini - participating celebrities encour - Make Music Count will scale cation and the Professoriate tiative launched by members of aging students to attend school their efforts to include schools in (AGEP) program, and the Uni - Counseling Corner is provided by the American Counseling the Executives’ Alliance for Boys every day. Illinois, Virginia, and New York. versity System of Maryland’s Association. Comments and questions to ACAcorner@counsel - and Men of Color, including the MBK STEM + Entrepre - • Enza Academy in partner - NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for ing.org or visit the ACA website at www.counseling.org Atlantic Philanthropies, W.K. neurship: In February 2016, the ship with the Expanded Success Minority Participation (LSAMP) Kellogg Foundation, Annie E. White House announced a new Initiative (ESI) launched the will establish best practices and Run Watershed vicinity. This Casey Foundation, and Mar - STEM + Entrepreneurship track Men of Color in Technology & co-create solutions to improve and Neighborhoods from A2 effort will communicate the guerite Casey Foundation. for the My Brother’s Keeper ini - Entrepreneurship (MOCITE) grow the pipeline of underrepre - tion, tree boxes and planting) Rain Check Rebate Program Bloomberg Associates MBK tiative. The MBK Task Force is program in April 2016 to intro - sented tech hires. The organiza - and interpretive signage along and the Alternative Compliance Community Support: committing to creating and duce students of color to com - tions will disseminate these best Narragansett Parkway at Program to the community. Bloomberg Associates, an arm strengthening pathways to en - puter science, entrepreneurship practices and solutions to 2,000 able more young people, partic - and design thinking concepts. practitioners and policy makers at Muskogee Street, a priority area Global Health and Educa - of Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides pro-bono consulting to ularly those facing persistent op - Partnering with Google, Face - conferences throughout the coun - in the Indian Creek Subwater - tion Projects, Inc.; $15,000: shed Restoration Plan. Through this project, grant cities and Mayors from around portunity gaps, to tap into the book, General Assembly and try, to 10,000 people through so - City of District Heights; funds will support the Family the country and the world. power of Federal and non-gov - other stakeholders, Enza Acad - cial media, and will double the $34,862: To promote green in - Tree Adoption Program that Bloomberg Associates has ernment STEM and entrepre - emy commits to creating a sus - in-person and online reach every frastructure, improve stormwa - helps residents select and plant helped Mayors in a dozen cities neurship initiatives. This initia - tainable STEM-to-Entrepreneur - year for the next 3 years. The ter runoff and neighborhood trees on their property and also with a range of technical assis - tive builds on the ongoing work ship pipeline for 500 students of PROMISE AGEP will collabo - beautification efforts, this proj - provides tree maintenance ed - tance support to develop local of the Council on Women and color in 2016 and expanding to rate with non-profit organizations, ect focuses on the design and ucation to new tree owners. strategies to tackle barriers fac - Girls to ensure opportunities in 10,000 students of color by tech companies and research uni - STEM education throughout the 2020. Through its initiatives versities to implement the best installation of a highly visible Maryland League of Con - ing young men. The organization workforce pipeline. such as MOCITE, Summer In - practices and solutions to connect rain garden along the District servation Voters Education helps cities map out goals, iden - tify evidence based approaches In April at the White House novation School and Design underrepresented candidates with Heights Parkway. Fund; $22,500: To engage City of Greenbelt; Latino youth, increase their to adopt, establish success met - Science Fair, the Task Force an - Your Revolution Hack Camp, hiring entities. $187,700: This project will en - awareness and capacity to re - rics, and embed strategies in Lo - nounced more than $50 million Enza Academy aims to invest • Novel City Chamber of In - gage the public on stormwater spond to the problem of trash and cal Action Plans. As cities have in new STEM + Entrepreneur - over $11 million in the next 4 novation will establish a $30 issues while implementing a litter in their communities, grant been successfully issuing their ship commitments to expand op - years. These initiatives will em - million innovation fund, the needed water quality treatment funding will support the produc - Plans, Bloomberg Associates’ portunity for our students. Today, power students to discover, de - Novel Student Initiative , to de - project at Buddy Attick Park. tion of literature and workshops on-going support moves increas - another group of organizations sign and develop, bold, STEM- velop entrepreneurial innovation City of Hyattsville; in Spanish, and will connect ingly to implementation chal - is stepping up with their own in - based and entrepreneurial ecosystems on 10 university $20,431: This project consists stormwater management with lenges and efforts to institution - dependent commitments, total - solutions to big challenges in campuses. The Novel Student of the installation of a rain gar - environmental health, economic alize the MBK effort. In June, ing more than $30 million, to their own communities using the Initiative will support a collec - den, meadow and tree plantings and environmental justice, and Bloomberg Associates, help expand STEM opportuni - force of their own imaginations. tive of minority college student across 8,400 square feet at Ana - community participation. Bloomberg Philanthropies and ties, including for traditionally • The Cape Cod Watershed entrepreneurs to lead local, state underrepresented minorities. Institute, a collaborative between and economic development ef - costia Tributary Trail System. Neighborhood Design the White House will co-host a national gathering of select com - These commitments include: the Lewis Bay Research Center, forts and offer tech entrepreneur - Clean Water Fund; Center; $153,740: This fund - $25,257: Grant funds will sup - ing represents three projects munities to share best practices • Change Catalyst will host The Cape Cod Stem Academy ship as an alternative to college. port a social marketing program that assist community groups, and develop approaches that will five regional Tech Inclusion Consortium of schools across the • Smithsonian Science Edu - in Capitol Heights focusing on small municipalities, schools produce measureable results in Summits this year. With 6,000 Cape and Islands and Bridgewa - cation Center (SSEC), in part - educating homeowners about and faith-based organizations, reducing racial disparities over attendees expected overall, the ter State University, will estab - nership with the National Science stormwater pollution, adopting create a comprehensive plan the long term. goal of the events will be to con - lish a link with STEM educa - Teachers Association and the watershed-friendly practices for for addressing stormwater Viacom’s Get Schooled Ini - vene leaders in K –12, higher-ed - tional colleagues on Guam in the Shell Oil Company Foundation , residential properties and pro - runoff and pollution in their tiative: Viacom’s Get Schooled ucation, and coding schools to - Marshal Islands. The institute will help at least 10 school dis - moting the County’s Rain community and on private Foundation will join the effort to gether with tech recruiters, hiring will provide a physical presence tricts develop 5-year strategic Check Rebate program. properties. In addition, the combat chronic absenteeism by managers, and diversity and in - on and offshore with the Lewis STEM-education plans to help in - ECO City Farms; $45,000: funding supports technical as - supporting the MBK Success clusion leaders to establish best Bay Center environmental mon - crease STEM diversity. The plans Project funding will support in - sistance for project develop - Mentor initiative. To combat low practices in improving and grow - itoring platforms and its ad - will incorporate the LASER stallation of several BMPs to al - ment to submit grants to the attendance rates, the Get Schooled ing the pipeline of underrepre - vanced environmental laboratory model, which uses inquiry-based leviate flooding at the urban farm Prince George’s Stormwater Foundation has launched the “Get sented tech hires. Change Cata - facilities on Parker’s River in science to improve achievement and developing an environmen - Stewardship program. Schooled Breakfast Club” aimed lyst will also host three separate Cape Cod. The organization will for all students not just in science, career fairs. offer for-credit and free pro - but also math and reading. tal stewardship education pro - New Hope Educational In - at encouraging more students to gram that serves the neighbor - stitute; $125,000: Grant funds hood’s Latino community. will support capturing and treat - Parkdale High School; community mentorships for People for Change Coalition; ance Program and the Stormwater Friends of Lower Beaver - ing runoff, reducing severe ero - $200,000: This project will treat Parkdale High School students. $35,000: Project funding will pro - Stewardship grant program. dam Creek; $114,227: Project sion, educating students about stormwater runoff through the This is a model project that vide technical assistance to Prince Pheasant Run Home focuses on designing and build - stormwater pollution, and engag - design and creation of green in - brings together technical experts, George’s County faith-based or - Owner’s Association, Inc.; ing stormwater retrofit projects ing the community in the design frastructure. This effort will pro - non-profits, teachers, students, ganizations to support them as they that address small scale resi - and implementation of stormwa - vide hands-on stormwater stew - and the community to clean wa - apply for the Rain Check Rebate dential flooding in the Quincy ter management practices. ardship education and ter and engage citizens. Program, the Alternative Compli - See Neighborhoods Page A 6 A6 — May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post

OUT ON THE

ERIC D. SNIDER’S IN THE DARK TOWN The Edge of Sports Movie Review by DAVE ZIRIN Meet the Blacks The Lakers Can Kindly Meet the Blacks Shove Their Bro Code Grade: D+ Rated R, pervasive harsh profanity and vulgarity, some sexuality, some violence 1 hr., 30 min

There is far more stimulation in contemplating what an odd mess Meet the Blacks is than there is in watching it. Trust me, I’ve done both. The movie itself is a careless, mostly unfunny mix of slapstick, insults, racial humor, toothless satire, and semi-horror, all set in a world where the Purge The 2016 version of the Los Angeles Lakers organization is real. So is a Meet the Blacks ROTTENTOMATOES has already proven that it lacks any passion for winning, spoof of The Purge ? It sometimes After obtaining a great deal of money, the patriarch (Mike Epps) of a black family decides developing young talent, or being anything more than a thinks it is, but no, not really. It’s they should move from Chicago to a posh neighborhood in Beverly Hills. However, they traveling circus: a Washington Generals–esque vessel for more like “The Purge” fan fiction. are soon terrorized by home intruders who want them out of the affluent community in Kobe Bryant’s LA County–sized ego. But now, despite the Oh, and it starts with executive this comedic spoof of the Purge films. Zulay Henao, George Lopez, Mike Tyson, and Char - team’s 16-59 record, we have finally found something that producer Snoop Dogg, in white - lie Murphy co-star. Directed by Deon Taylor. stirs their hearts, unites them with purpose, and makes them face, warning his fellow whites care: “The Bro Code.” thought there wouldn’t be any Sorry, I’ve gotten ahead of my - with that question, then got stuck. to stay safe during the Purge. With fewer than 10 games left in the season, talented 20- Purging in fancy Beverly Hills, self, pointing out random dumb The best they could come up Weird, right? year-old rookie D’Angelo Russell is being shunned like and the movie spends several mistakes before I’ve finished ex - with: the Blacks are tormented Carl Black (Mike Epps) is a Hester Prynne—literally shunned—because he videoed 30- minutes on his sputtering and plaining what the movie is about. not just by would-be murderers Chicago criminal who steals year-old teammate, and self-described mentor, Nick fuming when he finds out he was Disappointingly, it follows the ba - but by people they owe money enough money from his newly im - “Swaggy P” Young talking about his hook-up with a 19- wrong. There is also a scene sic structure of e (includ - to (including a children’s party prisoned partner to move his fam - The Purg year-old woman at a club. Young, an absurdly unserious where Carl Jr. explains to his dad ing the teen daughter’s secret clown played by violent rapist ily—Latina second wife Lorena facsimile of a pro basketball player, is engaged to the ab - what the Purge is, even though boyfriend being a factor) without Mike Tyson). Mike Epps scores (Zulay Henao), teenage daughter surdly unserious facsimile of a hip-hop artist Iggy Azalea. his dad obviously already knows really spoofing it, half-heartedly a few chuckles as the cranky dad, Allie (Bresha Webb), son Carl Jr. If Kobe Bryant is this team’s unsmiling Il Duce, Swaggy & what it is because he has been soaking it in stale gags, clunky but the fact that he constantly lies (Alex Henderson), and shiftless Iggy are their prom king and homecoming queen. Young complaining about it. There’s writing, and amateurish perform - to his wife and everyone else un - cousin Cronut (Lil Duval)—to a was also accused of sexual harassment last month—along also a scene where Lorena says, ances. The tone is all over the dercuts his “concerned patriarch” gated community in Beverly Hills. with another very promising young player, Jordan Clarkson, “I’m gonna go check on the kids” place, and even seems to be going act. He’s a dishonest man and a Now, the Black family is the first whom one assumes Swaggy was also mentoring—and few immediately after the kids have for actual thrills in a few scenes— bad husband and father. There black family to live in this neigh - in the team or in the media seemed to notice or care. This is left the room. Like, you can still a gross miscalculation. might have been some pleasure borhood, so they are on a collision the odiously infantile carnival that’s been tasked with de - see them going up the stairs. The What would “The Purge” be in seeing him emerge victorious course with wackiness, racism, etc. veloping D’Angelo Russell. Then the Purge begins. For story needed Lorena to exit the like if it were about black peo - if the movie 1) acknowledged his the uninitiated, the Purge is an scene, and “I’m gonna go check ple? Screenwriters Nicole De - badness and/or 2) were funny. Over the last 48 hours, Russell has apologized endlessly, annual 12-hour period during on the kids” was the only thing Masi and Deon Taylor (who also But it doesn’t and it isn’t, and saying he has no idea how the video leaked. He deserves to which all crime is legal. Carl the writers could come up with. directed) seem to have begun here we are. be criticized, and even confronted. No one should be videoed without their consent. But he’s also 18 months out of high school and the pile-on against him—the absolute flaying of In making the case for the eco - The highlight of the meeting ficult man to say ‘no’ to,” said Roundtable from A1 young Mr. Russell—has been both hyperbolic and inane. nomic growth in Prince George’s came as CEO’s from eight high Steve Dunn, Owner, Well Dunn People old enough to know better should also be true men - nomic Development Incentive County, the Economic Develop - growth, key industry sectors Caterers in Hyattsville, MD. tors enough to give him a damn break. Instead, this kid who Fund, or appointing a highly ac - ment Team highlighted its “Acti - companies that have recently “When I was looking to relocate isn’t even old enough to order a drink in a bar, is basically complished CEO over the vate Prosperity” initiative, which moved to the County shared why my property, I found that Prince being told that his very future in the league is in doubt. County’s public schools, the maximizes the deployment of the they felt the need to be in Prince George’s County offered the best business community has come EDC’s efforts and financial re - George’s County. opportunity for our company to ESPN ’s Stephen A. Smith—the same Stephen A. Smith to realize that Prince George’s sources in order to raise aware - Professional services compa - grow. Since moving to the who was suspended from ESPN for blaming battered County is much more than a ness about current job opportu - nies and developers, as well as County in January, I have in - women for “provoking” male violence—said the following sleepy little bedroom commu - nities and helps businesses take software development and infor - creased my workforce by 15% (This is in caps because Stephen A Smith is always yelling): nity just outside of Washington, advantage of available programs mation technology cited the im - with County residents. We are “as a man, you don’t do that. under no circumstances, do D.C. But now is not the time for that can increase their revenues proved image and the new con - pleased to be part of the macro you infiltrate yourself in somebody else’s business and dis - cooling off!” and create more jobs. fidence in the County brand that growth in Prince George’s cuss or reveal their private personal affairs. particularly The briefing was also an op - “It is not an accident that convinced them to relocate to County and look forward to be - when it comes to women, you turn the other way. you didn’t portunity for Senator Cardin to Prince George’s County is home Prince George’s County. ing here for many years.” see, you saw no evil, you heard no evil, you know no evil. provide a legislative update on to over 77,000 small businesses “We came upon this great op - There was a sense of ex - shut the hell up, mind your own business, step off and what is transpiring on Capitol that provide quality services and portunity to open an office in pectancy that their businesses move on.” Hill that may have an impact on products that support many well- Prince George’s County through were going to be able to grow Smith also said, “This is one of those situations where the local business community. In paying jobs throughout the re - the leadership of the EDC who successfully in Prince George’s the Lakers gotta contemplate trading him. This is one of addition, David Iannucci from gion,” said Senator Cardin, reached out to our company County, and that they were situ - those situations where his agent needs to contemplate drop - County Executive Baker’s office member of the Senate Small from India when we came to the ated where the action is going to ping him so he doesn’t lose other clients.” gave an update on the Regional Business and Entrepreneurship County on a delegation visit,” be in this region for a long period The coup de grâce was Smith’s justifying the Lakers’ Medical Center and the status of Committee. “It is an exciting said Asheesh Jain, CEO of Cre - of time. freezing out Russell by saying, “I am a reporter, and even I the FBI relocation. time to be in Prince George’s ative Lipi, a digital marketing Today’s visit by Senator don’t want to talk to him.” “Two of the most important County. Prince George’s and software development com - Cardin provided further valida - This is all such unadulterated horseshit. A 20-year-old projects to lead Prince George’s County’s successes start at the pany from India. “As a part of tion that Prince George’s County prodigy is now an expendable pariah, while Stephen A County, and are symbolic of the top, with County Executive the India Business Center (Ac - is on the right track for being the Smith gets to pass judgement not only on his behavior but rebranding of the County, are the Rushern Baker’s commitment to celerator), we have found that economic engine of the State of whether he should even be given a second chance to win Regional Medical Center and the restoring the reputation of Prince Mr. Coleman and Dr. Ganguly Maryland. It is strategically people’s trust. FBI,” said Iannucci. “The State George’s County as a place mean business and know how to aligned with its partners at the and County are working aggres - where you would get the type of get it going. Within 48 hours of federal, State and local levels to Smith is not alone. He’s just the loudest voice in a public sively on infrastructure support good governance that is funda - landing, I had five appointments establish competitive places for shaming that feels like it exceeds any case of sexual assault because we are confident that we mental for a business to decide and my business was up and run - even more development, more or violence against women that the sports world has pro - have the strongest sites for the to locate in Prince George’s ning in this country.” job creation and greater prosper - duced. Peyton Manning must be somewhere wiping his am - new FBI headquarters. Having County. Then bringing in good, Others talked about the ity for County residents. ple forehead saying, “Maybe I spent years trying to destroy the FBI in Prince George’s dependable people, like (EDC amount of new construction tak - a woman’s life for accusing me of sexual harassment, but County will be a real game President) Jim Coleman, to build ing place throughout the County, For more information on thank God I didn’t break the Bro-Code!” changer; similar to President on your strengths as a County. the availability of a talented business development assis - In other words, Smith is hardly alone in his condemna - Roosevelt putting the Pentagon The companies around this table workforce and the need to be in tance or expansion, contact the tion. He’s just the loudest voice in the chorus. Bill Plaschke in Northern Virginia. It will rein - telling why they’ve come to the midst of the new Prince Pradeep Ganguly (pgan - of the Los Angeles Times called Russell “immature,” saying, vent the County and its economy Prince George’s County are a George’s County as their catalyst. [email protected]) at 301- “You can’t pass Russell the torch; he will set something on by bringing 11,000 federal jobs, testament to the energy and com - “My business has been in 583-4602 or visit the Eco - fire, which is pretty much what happened with this recent 3,000 additional jobs and millions mitment Coleman has brought Washington, D.C. for over 30 nomic Development website at video that appeared on a celebrity gossip site.” of square feet in office growth.” to the County.” years, but Jim Coleman is a dif - www.pgcedc.com. Then there was Stephen Jackson live on SportsCenter saying, “Snitches get stitches.” barrels, provide training and This isn’t analysis. It’s codified, well-compensated Neighborhoods from A5 The Interstate Commission The Low Impact Develop - jobs for rain barrel installation, on the Potomac River Basin; ment Center, Inc.; $64,318 : To misogyny. It’s all so distressing, and not because I’m $11,730: To address several com - and provide outreach to resi - $61,938: Grant funds will sup - educate County property own - worried about Swaggy and Iggy’s future as a Celebrity munity-based environmental is - dents about the Rain Check Re - port the Score Four for Students, ers on small scale stormwater Rehab couple. sues, the grant funds will support bate Program. Schools, Streams and the Bay solutions, grant funds supported D’Angelo Russell deserves so much better than this: the rain barrels, conservation land - The Empowerment Insti - Program that will involve 400 the installation of seven Prince chance to actually grow up on a franchise run by adults, scaping and pet waste stations in tute; $152,145: This project re - students and five teachers to de - George’s County Rain Check and that’s really the bottom line. I find it difficult to separate the Pheasant Run community. moved impervious cover, in - velop Student Stormwater Ac - Rebate stormwater manage - Russell’s giggling video and the enraged reaction to its re - Suitland Civic Association; stalled a bioretention area to tion Projects. Also, ICPRB will ment practices at Behnke’s lease from this traveling dumpster fire of feces that has $35,000: Grant funds will sup - treat parking lot runoff, and en - provide a series of watershed les - Nursery in Beltsville. The in - port the Suitland Rain Barrel gages the community at the sons and community resources Project, which will raise the Southern Avenue Market in to facilitate stormwater steward - See LAKERS Page A 7 awareness of the benefits of rain Oxon Hill. ship among students. See Neighborhoods Page A 7 May 19 — May 25, 2016 — The Prince George’s Post —A 7

Calendar of Events EARTH TALK ... The Next Inconvenient Truth? May 19 — May 25, 2016 New Eco Documentaries Still Focusing on Global Warming Dear EarthTalk: time discussion of the envi - ronmental crisis...that attempts Yoga & Jazz I’m tired of binge-watching to connect the dots between Date and Time: Friday, May 20, 2016, 7 pm dramas on Netflix. What are Fermi’s Paradox, climate Description: Breathe in … breathe out! Get some relaxation and some of the best environmental change, capitalism and col - find your center this evening at a yoga class with live jazz music. documentaries that have come lapse.” The 80-minute film, Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. out recently? available for free streaming on Cost: Free Vimeo, features interviews Ages: Ages 18 & up —Scott Andersen, with top scientists and public Location: Montpelier Arts Center Joplin, MO intellectuals woven together 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD While potent in its day as into a narrative that critics Contact: 301-377-7800; TTY 301-699-2544 the film that put climate praise as “challenging, ex - change on the public radar, hausting and unflinching.” A Xtreme Tees: Scavenger Hunt An Inconvenient Truth , now a host of experts such as dooms - Date and Time: Friday, May 20, 2016, 7 –10 pm decade old, is hardly the last day climatologist Guy Description: Teens will divide into two groups and compete in a word in green documentaries McPherson and Beat poet and PHOTO COURTESY EARTHTALK scavenger hunt for prizes. Whichever team collects all of the anymore. Perhaps that honor bioregionalism guru Gary items on the list first wins the game. Interviews with environmental luminaries including author/ac - will go to Disobedience , a 35- Snyder discuss humanity’s tivist Bill McKibben and filmmaker and globalization critic Cost: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID minute paean to how grass - prospects for surviving cata - Ages: 10 –17 Naomi Klein are interwoven with riveting verité footage of roots activism can be the strophic climate change. everyday people organizing and fighting for a livable climate in Location: Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center lever that finally topples the Another solid choice is last 6120 Sargent Road, Chillum, MD the new documentaty Disobedience . dominance of fossil fuels. year’s Revolution , an epic ad - Contact: 301-853-2005; TTY 301-699-2544 The film’s producers hope to venture into the evolution of sequences; Fractured Earth , lays out the case for why peo - spark new interest in fighting life on Earth and the revolu - in which everyday Pennsyl - ple need to do much more than Xtreme Teens: Swimming Fun global warming. tion to save it. Director Rob vanians take on Big Oil in just take individual actions if Date and Time: Friday, May 20, 2016, 7 –10 pm Released on April 30 via Stewart, best known for his trying to keep fracking off they want to save themselves Description: Teens will travel to Rolingcrest splash pool for a hundreds of self-organized award-winning 2008 doc their land; and Oil and Water , and the planet. Jore argues that night of pre-summer swimming fun. You will depart at 6:15 and watch-parties and dozens of Sharkwater , spent four years an examination of the uneasy only through organizing and return by 10 pm. A signed specialized permission slip is required independent cinemas—while and travelled to 15 different alliance between the fishing working together can we di - for attendance. hundreds of thousands more countries to produce Revolu - and oil and gas industries in rectly challenge the industrial Cost: Resident: $5; Non-Resident: $5 viewers stream it for free on - tion , which brings viewers coastal Louisiana. systems leading us down the Ages: 10 –17 line— Disobedience includes face-to-face with sharks, Meanwhile, a new breed of path to planetary destruction. Location: Beltsville Community Center interviews with some of the lemurs, seahorses and cuttle - YouTube-savvy filmmakers is 3900 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD most renowned voices in the fish among other amazing calling into question whether CONTACTS: Disobedi - Contact: 301-937-6613; TTY 301-699-2544 global discourse around social creatures. Through it all, long-form documentaries are ence, www.watchdisobedi - movements and climate Stewart stays positive and still relevant, given viewers’ ence.com; The Cross of the Health and Wellness Zone at Ellen E. Linson Splash Park change. Conversations with showcases activists and indi - shorter attention spans and Moment, www.crossofthemo - Date and Time: Saturday, May 21, 2016, 10 am –12 noon environmental luminaries in - viduals around the world who ability to click away in a flash ment.com; Revolution, Description: Looking for something new to do? Get in the cluding author/activist Bill are winning the battle to save to something more engaging. www.therevolutionmovie.com; ZONE! Stop by your Health and Wellness Zone for fun activities McKibben and filmmaker and the ecosystems we all depend To wit, activist, artist and Jore, www.jore.cc. for all ages! globalization critic Naomi on for survival. filmmaker Jordan Brown Make a healthy choice with free fitness classes, a farmer’s mar - Klein are interwoven with riv - Still others include: Fossil (AKA Jore) has released a se - EarthTalk ® is written and ket, nutrition workshops, line dancing, nature walks, and more! eting verité footage of every - Free , which chronicles the ries of short films on YouTube edited by Roddy Scheer and From hula hoops to horseshoes, the ZONE has something day people organizing and mission of impassioned cli - that focus on the interface be - Doug Moss and is a registered for everyone! fighting for a livable climate. mate activists around the tween the dominant culture trademark of E - The Environ - Cost: Free Another new climate-ori - world; Our Rising Oceans , and the real impact on people, mental Magazine Ages: All ages welcome ented doc is The Cross of the where scientists in Antarctica society and the environment. (www.emagazine.com). Location: Ellen E. Linson Splash Park Moment , which producers de - show us how climate change His 11-minute piece, Forget Send questions to: 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD scribe as “a deep-green, deep- is already spawning dire con - Shorter Showers , for instance, [email protected]. Contact: 301-277-3717; TTY 301-699-2544 and one student was hired by ment the County’s Alternative education about low impact de - Neighborhoods from A6 Xtreme Teens: Movie Night Under The Stars the Town at the project comple - Compliance Program’s three velopment techniques to students Date and Time: Saturday, May 21, 2016, 7 –10 pm stallation of the practices will tion in 2015. criteria for Clean Water Act Fee entering the workforce and train - Description: Enjoy movie night under the stars with your Xtreme achieve reductions in nutrient reductions, support design and ing on rain gardens, green roofs Teens family. Come early to vote on a movie. Light refreshments Town of Landover Hills; and sediments loads in local Grant funds support construction of two stormwater and filtration through the Branch will be served. $126,578: rivers and demonstrate to resi - the installation of rain gardens, BMPs, facilitate development Avenue in Bloom urban farm. Cost: Free with M-NCPPC Youth ID dents what they can install on a bioretention swale, and perme - of outreach workshops on the Ages: 10 –17 University of Maryland Col - their own property. able pavers to capture and treat impact of individual activities Location: Bladensburg Community Center lege Park Foundation; stormwater runoff, reduce severe on water quality, and develop Project funds support 4500 57th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD Town of Forest Heights: $124,770: This project trained a erosion in the downstream creek maintenance plans for water the design and implementation of Contact: 301-277-2124; TTY 301-699-2544 $49,794: team of high school students, a channel, and educate students, conservation, pet waste pro - stormwater management prac - college student, and a local teachers and local residence grams, trash reduction, better tices to treat stormwater runoff, Xtreme Teens: Teen Vocal Showcase elder in the community to wa - about stormwater pollution and pesticide and herbicide use, and engage University of Maryland Date and Time: Saturday, May 21, 2016, 7 –10 pm ter, weed and mulch 500 street its impact on the environment. vegetation maintenance. College Park students and golf Description: Calling all teens from Prince George’s County! trees in the Town of Forest Union Bethel AME University of Maryland course visitors, and train Univer - Support fellow teens at the 2016 Xtreme Teens Rising Stars Heights. Students presented Church; $128,381: The project College Park; $80,000: This sity staff for future stormwater Teen Vocal Showcase at the University of Maryland Kay Theater. findings to the Town Council will serve as a model to imple - project provides environmental implementation and maintenance. Ladies and gentlemen ages 10-17 will compete for prizes for cash prizes. Cost: Resident: $5; Non-Resident: $5 Lakers from A6 office. And an owner, Dr. Jerry and gold happens to be, but video surfaced—has acted im - Ages: 10 –17 Buss, smart enough to sign the they shouldn’t be allowed to maturely, that’s just the envi - Location: North Brentwood Community Center masqueraded throughout the checks, have fun, and stay the call themselves the Lakers. ronment where he goes to work 4012 Webster Street, North Brentwood, MD 2015–16 season as the Los An - hell out of the way. They This tedious season-long every day. The Lakers had bet - Contact: 301-864-0756; TTY 301-699-2544 geles Lakers. played. They partied. But they goodbye tour to Kobe Bryant’s ter not be so far gone, so irre - I’m old enough to remember were all about those rings. The ability to shoot 4-19 has been deemably stupid that they are Seasonal Selections: Cream of the Crop when the Lakers were the Lakers made it seem like there difficult enough to stomach. actually talking about trading Date and Time: Sunday, May 22, 2016, 12 noon –3:30 pm coolest and best-run organiza - was was nothing so fresh as But all of this latest has taken D’Angelo Russell. They should Description: Springtime is dairy time and Mrs. Calvert was well- tion in sports. Magic and Ka - winning. The parties, the this farce of a season and instead release almost every known for her butter business. The Kitchen Guild will be using reem on the court. Pat Riley’s glamor the fame, that was just turned it into something far other player in that locker room 18th and 19th-century recipes to showcase a variety of dairy dishes. slicked-back intensity on the the spoils of being the best. more toxic. and thank Russell that he didn’t Cost: Free bench. “The Logo” Jerry West I don’t know what this col - If Russell—who, again, has quit the team six months ago to Ages: All ages welcome making decisions in the front lection 2016 wearing purple apologized endlessly since the join a real circus. Location: Riversdale House Museum 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park, MD Contact: 301-864-0420; TTY 301-699-2544 certification programs in the culture in eight criteria areas. certified their Green School Schools from A1 [email protected] country. It encourages educa - Green Schools must recer - status this year. High Point and the environment.” tional opportunities, increases tify every four years to keep High School and John Hanson Washington Nationals Baseball Clinic: The Maryland Green environmental awareness, and their status current. After three Montessori School obtained Bowie Baysox Stadium Schools program, sponsored promotes environmental stew - consecutive recertifications, sustainable school status, Date and Time: Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 6\ –8 pm by the Maryland Association ardship practices for students schools are considered “model which means they have main - Description: Boys & girls ages 7 –15 are invited to attend this for Environmental and Out - at all grade levels. Through a schools” and no longer have tained a Green School status free baseball clinic. The clinic will be conducted by local high door Education (MAEOE), is non-competitive application to recertify. Bond Mill Ele - for a minimum of 14 years. school and youth league coaches. Sponsors for this clinic are one of the most rigorous and process, schools must demon - mentary School and Rock - The following 34 schools Giant Food & Ripken Baseball. comprehensive Green School strate their green activities and ledge Elementary School re - earned new certifications: Cost: Free. Register HERE. Academy of Health Sciences Doswell E. Brooks Elementary School Paint Branch Elementary School Ages: 7–15 Location: Bowie Baysox Stadium @ Prince George’s County Commu - Gladys Noon Spellman Elementary Panorama Elementary School nity College School 4101 NE Crain Highway, Bowie, MD Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School Contact: 301-446-6800; TTY 301-699-2544 Arrowhead Elementary School Glenn Dale Elementary School Pointer Ridge Elementary School Benjamin Foulois Creative and Per - Heather Hill Elementary School Dine and Learn: Rockin’ the Spice Rack: Port Towns Elementary School forming Arts Academy Hyattsville Elementary School Suitland Community Center Stephen Decatur Middle School Date and Time: Wednesday, May 25, 6 –8 pm Benjamin Tasker Middle School Imagine Foundations at Morningside Suitland High School Description: Enjoy step-by-step live cooking demonstration with Bladensburg High School J. Frank Dent Elementary School a Registered Dietician, FREE food samples and fun and easy Bowie High School Judith P. Hoyer Montessori Thomas Johnson Middle School moves to keep you active for life. Dine and Learn is a partnership Capitol Heights Elementary School University Park Elementary School with the Prince George’s County Health Department, Suburban Kingsford Elementary School Hospital and the Prince Georges County Department of Parks Chapel Forge Early Childhood Center Marlton Elementary School Whitehall Elementary School and Recreation. Cherokee Lane Elementary School Mattaponi Elementary School William W. Hall Academy Cost: FREE Clinton Grove Elementary School Oxon Hill High School Woodridge Elementary School Ages: All ages Location: Suitland Community Center MAEOE will celebrate all newly certified and recertified schools and centers at the Annual Maryland Green School Youth 5600 Regency Lane, Forestville, MD Summit on May 13 at 9:30 a.m. at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. Contact: 301-736-3518; TTY 301-699-2544 For more information about the Green School Program, visit the MAEOE website at http://maeoe.org/application-templates- and-other-tips/.