February 18, 2021
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Inside Stories GREENBELT Poetry Slam, Local artists, News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper p.6 p.12 VOL. 84, No. 13 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Black History Celebrating Black American City Council Hears Initial Report History, Culture in Greenbelt On Deficiencies in Maglev DEIS by Matthew Arbach by Lois Rosado Jill Grant and Associates, a At present, the comment pe- alternatives, such as enhancing Many wonderful programs in creating a clean and safe envi- law firm hired by the city, met riod on the DEIS ends on April existing rail systems like Amtrak have been presented so far this ronment, many participants were with the city council on Wednes- 22. In the event of any court or MARC as well as “inaccurate month to educate and celebrate able to come out and view this day, February 10 to share their appeal to the project, if it moves financial assumptions and inac- the cultural and historic contri- wonderful, interesting collection evaluation of the Draft Environ- into a final EIS stage, all issues curate traffic data” as a basis for butions of Black Americans in in person. mental Impact Statement (DEIS) must be raised by the city, or the project’s need. Other types building our society and country. On Sunday, February 7, Cre- issued by SCMaglev on January other involved parties, by that of technology were not explored, Black American artifacts were on ative Arts Director Nicole De- 15. Grant said they were asked to time to be allowed into any kind such as Chinese maglev technol- display on February 6 through Wald arranged for an Artful “point out flaws” and ascertain if of an argument. ogy. Regina’s Popup Museum. Regina Afternoon that included pup- all proper steps and contingencies The firm’s outline to council There was a “failure to ad- Small, a resident of Greenbelt, pet and quilt crafts as well as had been addressed. Their goal touches on a large number of dress all water quality im- graciously shared her collection puppet shows. Dirk and Azaria in the meeting was to get direc- topics. It points out a deficiency pacts,” including stormwater, with city residents. Due to the tion from council on what issues in considering the full scope of groundwater, wetlands and re- Community Center staff efforts See BLACK HISTORY, page 6 to explore further and whether the project, as it would eventu- quirements of the National En- experts should be brought in to ally extend to New York. They vironmental Policy Act. The firm enhance arguments. found a lack in considering other Co-op Powers Up 240-kW See MAGLEV, page 9 Rays on the Roof Solar Array Black History by Cathie Meetre Greenbelt Recreation Hosts Virtual Drummers Master Class by Glory Akem Ngwe “Bass, bass, bass. One at a time.” The rhythmic sound of drums belted through the computer speakers as an intimate crowd of five gathered over Zoom to learn the basics of West African PHOTO COURTESY SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS ENERGY SUSTAINABLE COURTESY PHOTO drumming. An aerial view of the Co-op roof emphasizes that every inch is Greenbelt Recreation hosted working hard to power the store. an African drummers master class Saturday as part of the city’s The Greenbelt Co‐op Super- “I’m so delighted that the line-up of Black History Month market and Pharmacy energized Co-op will be powered by clean events. its newly installed 241.6-kilowatt energy through this project, and The class was taught by Mi- OWUSU MICHAEL KWEKU COURTESY PHOTO rooftop solar project on Tues- am so grateful to our dozens chael Kweku Owusu, an art- Michael Kweku Owusu and his drums day, February 9. Completed in of Co-op members and com- ist and craftsman from Accra, December, the array had to pass munity members who invested Ghana. He wore a shirt with a of music called Kuku which is working closely with poverty- inspection by the county and and donated money to make it a West African print and was ac- commonly played in West Africa stricken children in the Ghana be energized by Pepco before companied by his instrument. during the fishing harvest. Arts Center. switching to its operational mode. See SOLAR, page 11 “Try and raise your hand more “Boom, boom, boom. Hit the He founded Drumming Up when you play,” Kweku instruct- center of your drum with your From Poverty, whose purpose is ed as he lightly tapped the Djem- palm,” Kweku said. “Once you to support, polish and share the be traditional drum between his understand the basics, you can talents of artists and craftspeople. Covid Vaccine Sign-up Woes, legs. “The drum should be tilted play the Djembe.” Kweku teaches many classes in- away from you.” Kweku spent over 10 years ternationally and said he loves Hints; Offer Help for Others For the class, Kweku taught studying traditional West African participants a traditional piece drumming, building drums and See DRUMMERS, page 6 by Cathie Meetre Obtaining a vaccination slot Shot Seeking is tough for the computer averse. Samantha Savvy is in her Greenbelters who don’t belong mid-eighties and has health is- to an organized health care pro- sues. Her family organized curb- vider like an HMO must get side grocery pickup and signed their shots by hook or by crook. her up at the county health A letter on Saturday, February 13 from County Executive An- See VACCINE, page 8 gela Alsobrooks promises that restructuring is underway but meanwhile the county remains What Goes On last in the state, far behind other local jurisdictions, in percentage Monday, February 22 of population vaccinated (Prince 8 p.m. City Council Meeting George’s: 5 percent, Montgom- Wednesday, February 24 ery: 10 percent, Kent: 20 per- 8 p.m. Council Worksession cent, Baltimore City: 10 percent). with Board of Elections County bulletins are available at All council meetings are vir- princegeorgescountymd.gov/2401/ tual. See the meetings calendar News-Center. at greenbeltmd.gov for agendas In the following stories, names and information on public par- REBEKAH SUTFIN BY PHOTO Regina Small (left), her husband Gleason Small and daughter Glena Small welcome visitors to have been changed but the events ticipation in these meetings. view Regina's Black Artifacts Popup Museum. See story, page 7. are real. Page 2 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, February 18, 2021 Correction The byline was omitted Letters to the Editor from the print version of last week’s page 6 story on the Thanks for HB704 Adjoining baseball, soccer Greenbelt Fair Housing Group. fields and our astronomical ob- The story was written by Jean- Dear Delegate Ivey, servatory would be lost as well. nette Connors. Thank you for co-sponsoring Moreover, it would be an el- HB704, to help save our forest evated train track that does not preserve. serve the people. It serves just I have lived in historic old the egos of a few misguided City Notes Greenbelt for over 40 years. politicians, lines the pockets of Besides shoveling snow, Hor- Without the “belt of green” we developers, creates over 10 years ticulture/Parks repaired many would not be who we are. It was of expensive disruption and prob- things: broken hand sanitizers, an integral part of the original lems, and should not be built, wooden benches, post caps and planned community and there period. a trash can. Street Maintenance/ is precious little left. Without The money would be bet- Special Details maintained snow the actions 20 years ago of our ter spent upgrading Amtrak and plows and repaired potholes. citizens and our city government Metro. Refuse/Recycling collected 26.18 to preserve it from development, Planting trees rather than cut- tons of refuse and 12.57 tons of even those remaining 100 acres ting them down would be another recyclables. Building Maintenance would be gone. better use. You could even name installed temporary phone lines If the maglev is built, not only it the Larry Hogan for fire alarms at Springhill Lake would over 15 acres, 15 percent Forest Preserve sys- Recreation Center. of our important historic preserve, tem. Animal Control investigated a be destroyed, but the entire pre- Thank you for fatal dog-on-dog attack. Shelter serve would become little more reading my letter. residents are three cats and three than a buffer for an emerging Frank Gervasi dogs. Park rangers posted about underground and elevated train weather-related trail hazards. Drop us a Line! track system. Greenbelt Homes Inc. installed a new front door at the Museum Electronically, that is. and staff researched a univer- sity inquiry about sculptor Lenore [email protected] Our Readers Tell Us of Their Thomas Straus. Black History Month daily posts featured Black U.S. Postal Service Problems architect Paul R. Williams. Winter recreation continues. Two readers responded to our livery for more than a year. We Black History Month events in- Letters Policy request for U.S. Mail-related have not gotten bills and have cluded an African Drummers The News Review reserves the right not to publish any letter problem stories: had to go online or the telephone Class and a Poetry Slam. Pre- submitted. Letters are considered accepted when published. to find payment information. schoolers learned about Mae All letters must include the letter writer’s name, physical ad- On December 20, 2020, Cross- Many days we get no mail at all. Jemison, the first African Ameri- dress and telephone number. Only the name will be published; roads Prison Ministries mailed a Some companies send us a notice can woman space explorer. the News Review will consider withholding the prisoner’s lesson to me, a men- of a missed payment, but some At the Community Center, name upon request.