Month: May 2014 Page 1 of 4

Free Saturday Parking Starts Today

On May 31, 2014

The downtown parking lot

Heading Downtown on a Saturday this summer? Starting today, the City is covering the parking meters in the Downtown parking garage for the third year in a row, so take advantage of the opportunity to visit your favorite restaurant or try one of our newest additions.

Two years ago, the Council authorized a pilot project to allow free parking in the City garage on Saturdays during the summer to attract customers downtown on summer weekends. This program was generally considered a success. Lost revenue for a typical summer was estimated to be $6,000.00.

Upon Council approval, City staff implemented a similar program for the summer of 2013. With lessons learned from last two summers, staff anticipates an even more successful, smoothly run program this summer.

Free summer parking begins today, and continues through Saturday, August 23rd.

Note that parking is always free in the garage on Sundays.

Join the Sun at the Market on Saturday!

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 30, 2014

In Farmer's Market, Hollywood Farmers Market

Please see below this week’s Hollywood Farmers Market newsletter. See you all tomorrow.

Join the Sun at the Market on Saturday!
The weather forecasters say that this Saturday will be perfect for a visit to the Hollywood Farmers Market (9 am to 1 pm). Our regular vendors will be there, and Ashley Adams from the Circus School will return (after her stunning debut at the grand opening) to make balloon animals, hats and swords for kids of all ages.

Every Picture Tells A Story!
As the photos below show, many residents who came to shop at the market at our grand opening on May 17 had a great time! Thanks to College Park resident and professional photographer Kathy Bryant for volunteering to capture this special day.

If you seek for a professional photographer like Kathy Bryant, you can also check out Portland Newborn Photographer.

Maryland State Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk (in green), College Park Council members Patrick Wojahn and Fazlul Kabir, and County Council member Eric Olson lend support to our official ribbon-cutter Mayor Andy Fellows. You also might recognize a few members of the Hollywood Farmers Market Board of Directors and other local residents.

Here are a few of the younger set seriously pondering their next moves at the giant chess set. They were too busy strategizing to give us their names!

Cpl. Jaron Black, a COPS officer (community-oriented policing), enjoys a balloon sword fight with a few worthy opponents.

Co-author Renee Domogauer (at right) reads her book, The Washington Oak Kitten, to a youthful audience. She’ll be back to the market soon for another reading.

Buy Local: Reason 2

You’ll Support Independent/Family Farms and a Stronger Local Economy. There’s never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer. Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your own community. (Source: buy-local-challenge.com)

Recipe of the Week: Kale Slaw

Ingredients
1 head kale, stems removed and thinly sliced
1 large carrot, grated
1/2 an orange, juiced
1/2 a lemon, juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 red onion, sliced very thinly
1 slice bacon, cooked crisp and chopped (optional)
1 rounded tablespoon mayonnaise

Directions
Place the kale into a salad bowl. Toss with the carrot, orange juice (use juicers recommended by https://www.juicingnation.com/ for best quality), lemon juice, and salt—and use your hand to rub these ingredients into the kale. Let the kale sit a few minutes while you “shock the onion” by preparing a large bowl of ice water and a saucepan with boiling water. Place the thinly sliced onion into the boiling water for 15 to 30 seconds, and then shock them in the cold water, stopping the cooking immediately. Drain the water and blot the onions with a paper towel. Add the onion, bacon, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss well. Add the mayonnaise, and mix the slaw well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
[Source: foodnetwork.com]

This week’s Vendors

1. Upper Crust Bakery
2. Tiffany’s Oven
3. Pleitez Farm
4. Legacy Manor
5. Heavenly Created Desserts
6. Calvert Farm
7. Morning Glory Farm
8. Ferguson Family Farm
9. Designed Naturally
10. Chic Expressions
11. Red Chimney Flower Farm
12. Tuckey’s Mountain Grown
13. Caspari Farm
14. Eastern Delights
15. Carley’s creation
16. Christiane’s Knits and Gardens
17. Phil’s Dills
18. 49th Ave, Furniture
19. Coffee Barn

Hollywood Farmers Market is located at the Hollywood Shopping Center (near REI) on Saturdays from 9am to 1 pm. Email: Hollywoodmarketcp@gmail.com. Phone: (301) 659 – 6295 Like us on the FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodmarket
Copyright © 2014 Hollywood Farmers Market, All rights reserved. www.Hollywoodmarket.org

College Park Academy Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 29, 2014

In Announcements, College Park Academy, School

College Park Academy Summer Camp

College Park Academy has launched an exciting new Summer Camp. Middle schoolers will have fun in College Park with their peers — and with University of Maryland professors and students.

The Summer Camp is located at College Park Academy, 7501 Adelphi Road. There will be field trips some weeks. Summer Camp starts on June 23rd. REGISTER HERE.

Each session is one week long, and there are eight total weeks of Camp. Students can sign up for one week or multiple weeks.

And if you sign up for two weeks of camp, you will be entered to win a $100 discount.

Visit online, learn more, and register!

Camp week themes include:

Sporty Science or the Science of Sports
Guerilla Agriculture
Food Stars: Eat Like an Expert
Jurassic Maryland (well really Cretaceous Maryland)
Vampires, Werewolves, and Zombies! (Oh My!)
A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy….
The Perfect Bridge
Green Tweens

LEARN MORE HERE. Each session runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., is one week long and there are eight total weeks of Camp.

College Park Academy is also offering a host of exciting online summer classes for elementary through high school students. This is a great opportunity for students who would like catch up, accelerate, or just learn more. Students can even take music courses from Julliard! LEARN MORE HERE.

Traffic Alert on Route 1: Commencements This Week

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 28, 2014

In Announcements, Traffic

The graduation ceremonies will attract a large traffic to Route 1 this week

I got this message from UMD’s Conferences & Visitor Services about a traffic alert on Route 1 due to this week’s commencement ceremonies at UMD.

The ceremonies will take place Tuesday, May 27 through Friday May 30, and Monday, June 2.

We are pleased to host these very special events in the lives of our neighboring high school graduates and their families. Please note, there will be some inconvenience for members of our campus community who will be traveling to and from the campus each of the affected days.

– Parking for the ceremonies will be in surface lots surrounding Comcast Center.
– Traffic will be heaviest at the Campus Drive/MD Route 1, and Paint Branch Drive/MD Route 193 intersections.
– Incoming traffic prior to each ceremony, and departing traffic following each ceremony, will be particularly heavy.

If possible for you to do so, we advise scheduling your arrivals and departures so as not to coincide with these events, use alternative routes to campus, or take public transportation.
Listen to 103.5 WTOP for the most current traffic information, and visit our website.

Council to Adopt FY 2015 Budget Tonight, with No Hike in Fines, Fees or Property Tax

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 27, 2014

In Budget

General Fund Undesignated/Unassigned Reserve Balance
(Compared to Goal of 25% of Next Fiscal Year’s Expenditure Budget)

The Council will vote tonight to approve the FY 2015 operating and capital budget. The budget Ordinance was introduced on April 22nd and a public hearing was held on May 13th. The Ordinance reflects the combination of the FY2015 City Manager’s requested budget and budget changes made by Mayor and Council during budget worksessions. The budget ordinance will be effective July 1, 2014.

Total General Fund revenues of $15,094,904 include operating revenues of $14,707,087, an interfund transfer from the Parking Debt Service Fund of $314,815, and use of unassigned reserve of $73,002. Total General Fund expenditures are $15,094,904.

By adoption of this Ordinance, the Council will approve the FY2015 Pavement Management Plan and Pay Plan. Also, by adoption of this Ordinance, the City includes its employees in the Employees’ Pension System of the State of Maryland as of July 1, 2014.

The good news about next year’s budget is that there will be no change in property tax rates, fines or fees. The tax rates for real and personal property tax will be set at 33.5 and 83.8 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, respectively.

That said, I do have some concerns about the overall status of City’s financial health, in particular in the area of the reserve funds. City’s reserve fund level has dropped recently (please see the chart on the left) and is close to the Charter recommended 25% level. This level is expected to drop further in the coming year.

City’s reserve fund level is dropping and is expected to drop further in the coming year. The level were 40% in FY12, 30% in FY13, 28% in FY14, In FY15 is projected to be 22%, which will go down the Charter’s recommended level.

The trend is worrisome because the City’s revenue figures are expected to remain flat in the next few years. There are talks about lowering the 25% recommended goal, but I think it’s a bad idea to do that. Instead we should learn how to cut costs to keep our financial figures healthy.

Community Meeting on Hollywood Rd. Sidewalk

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 26, 2014

In Development

Council member Wojahn and I plan to hold a community meeting with the residents of Hollywood Road to discuss the possibility of building sidewalk on their street.

Our City engineer Steve Halpern will be there to take questions.

WHEN: 7:00 pm, Monday, June 2, 2014
WHERE: College Park Community Library, 9704 Rhode Island Ave., The Church of the Nazarene,

The City has planned to build sidewalk on Hollywood Road on the east side of 51st Place. Construction will begin soon.

The June 2nd meeting will be about the possibility of building side walk only on the west side of 51st Place. No funding has been approved for this project.

North College Park Crime Map: May 18 – 24, 2014

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 25, 2014

In Crime Reports

Please see below last week’s crime map and let me know if you have any questions.

Theft

Event	Type	From	To	Location
[5/19/14]	THEFT	10:39	11:25	9800 Blk RHODE ISLAND AVE,
[5/19/14]	THEFT	17:30	18:37	IKEA,
[5/22/14]	THEFT	21:25	22:13	10100 Blk BALTIMORE AVE

Theft from Auto

Event	Type	From	To	Location
[5/20/14]	THEFT1	11:29	12:57	9500 Blk BALTIMORE AVE,
[5/20/14]	THEFTA	12:44	12:57	9500 Bk BALTIMORE AVE,
[5/20/14]	THEFTA	17:10	18:13	10000 Blk RHODE ISLAND AVE,
[5/22/14]	THEFTA	10:15	11:55	4700 Blk CHERRY HILL RD,

Robbery

Event	Type	From	To	Location
[5/21/14]	ROBT/A	13:44	17:15	5000 Blk EDGEWOOD RD,

Event

Type

From

Location

[5/21/14]

ROBT/A

13:44

17:15

5000 Blk EDGEWOOD RD,

Solar Bulk Purchase Workshop

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 24, 2014

In Announcements, Environment, Solar energy

Please join The Committee For A Better Environment For Another Information Meeting on Purchasing Solar Systems As A Group

DATE: Monday, June 2, 2014
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 2nd Floor Council Chambers
City Hall, 4500 Knox Road, College Park, MD 20740

Please contact Steve Beavers, Community Development Coordinator, sbeavers@collegeparkmd.gov, 240-487-3538 for more information

June 2nd Solar workshop

Shop at the Market for your Memorial Day Picnic

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 23, 2014

In Farmer's Market, Hollywood Farmers Market

Please see below this week’s Hollywood Farmers Market newsletter. See you all tomorrow.

Happy Memorial Day!

Mayor Fellows (far left) at last week’s grand opening

If you plan to celebrate Memorial Day with the traditional foods, you’ll find everything you need at the Hollywood Farmers Market this Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Buy Local: Reason 1

(Of many to Come)

Buying local is good for you, good for the local economy and good for the planet! In addition to providing food that’s fresh and nutritional, buying from local farms promotes cleaner air and water and reduces our carbon footprint on the planet. In Maryland, if every household purchased just $12 worth of farm products for eight weeks (basically the summer season), over $200 million would be put back into the pockets of our farmers. (Source: buy-local-challenge.com)

If you want hamburgers or other meat to grill, check out Legacy Farms or Ferguson Family Farms. To put home-made pickles on the fresh bun you buy from Crest Hill Bakery, go to Phil’s Dills. If you’re looking to grill some veggies or toss a salad, check out your options at Calvert Farm, Pleitez Produce, and Caspari Farm.

For the vegans among us, check out the great Italian sausages and black bean burgers from Tiffany’s Oven. Tiffany also offers delicious desserts and so does Heavenly Created Desserts, see more options at https://vegconomist.com. At Kevin Tuckey’s table, you’ll find local, freshly picked apples (with strawberries and other berries coming soon).

As you can see, the Hollywood Farmers’ Market is your one-stop shop for Memorial Day, and you can even buy a bouquet for your centerpiece from Red Chimney Flower Farm!

And, since it’s Memorial Day, we want to be sure to honor the veterans in our community and commemorate those who gave all for our country. Our local VFW post will be joining us this weekend selling their poppies to help raise funds to provide support services to our local veterans!

Introducing Julie Beavers—Our New Market Manager

Julie Beavers – our new market master

You may have noticed a new face at the market table: It’s our market manager, Julie Beavers, who also manages the downtown College Park market.
Julie, her husband Steve (who works for the City of College Park), and their three children have lived in College Park for the last 10 years. Julie was born and raised in Maryland, attended the University of Maryland and is a “huge Terps fan.”
For the last four years, she’s been a stay-at-home Mom, who is “excited to get up on Saturday morning and go to work” at what she calls our “family-friendly, community-based market.”
As she says, “I am working with wonderful people and love being part of a community that supports local farmers and businesses. I also like the idea of people making and selling their own things, being self-supported.”
By all accounts, Julie is an asset to our market! We hope you will stop by the market table to welcome her and introduce yourself.

This week’s Vendors

1. Upper Crust Bakery
2. SunSplash Farm
3. Pleitez Farm
4. Legacy Manor
5. Heavenly Created Desserts
6. Calvert Farm
7. Morning Glory Farm
8. Ferguson Family Farm
9. Designed Naturally
10. Chic Expressions
11. Red Chimney Flower Farm
12. Tuckey’s Mountain Grown
13. Caspari Farm
14. Eastern Delights
15. Carley’s creation
16. Christiane’s Knits and Gardens
17. Phil’s Dills
18. 49th Ave, Furniture
19. Coffee Barn
20. Tiffany’s Oven

Recipe of the Week: Fresh Herb Batter Bread
[The following is from The Iowa Housewife at http://iowasue.blogspot.com/2014/05/fresh-herb-batter-bread.html].
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
1 ¼ cups warm water (120° to 130°F)
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons shortening (Butter and other oil is often used as a substitute. (For more on this, see http://bakingbites.com/2009/07/what-is-shortening/.)
1 ½ teaspoons snipped fresh or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
1 ½ teaspoons snipped fresh or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Butter for crust when it is baked.

Directions
Mix two cups of the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a large bowl. Add water, parsley, shortening, rosemary, and thyme. Beat on low speed 1 minute scraping bowl often. Beat on medium speed till the batter starts to pull strands. Add the rest of the flour and stir in, beating till smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl, and leaving it in the same bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place for 35 to 40 minutes or until double.

Grease 9x5x3 loaf pan. Stir down batter by beating about 25 strokes. Smooth and pat batter in loaf pan with floured hands. Cover lightly and let rise for about 30 minutes or until double. (Do not allow to overrise.) Heat oven to 375° while bread is rising. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow when tapped on bottom. 185° to 200° with an instant read thermometer. Brush top of loaf with soft butter and then remove from pan and cool on wire rack.

Police Seeks Help in Robbery Incident at Mundo Latino Market

By Fazlul Kabir

On May 22, 2014

In Police

Cash reward – Mundo Latino robbery

Yesterday, at approximately 1335 hours, a commercial armed robbery happened at the Mundo Latino Market, which is located at 5000 Edgewood Road.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is working to identify the suspect shown in the above surveillance photographs.

Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is asked to call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) or CID-Robbery Unit at 301-772-4905 as soon as possible. Please refer to case number 14-141-1679. Whenever information is given to the Prince George’s County Crime Solvers Line, you do not have to leave your name.

A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $1000.00 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of the suspects responsible for this robbery.

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