A Community Conversation (10/30/19)

Links to audio clips from the first Community Conversation of the fall held at Eleanor Roosevelt High School on October 30, 2019:

• Overview
• Education
• Youth Development
• Economic Development
• Safe Communities
• Healthy Communities (a discussion of flooding near the end)
• 311

Thank You Tantallon Cleanup Volunteers!

• Thank you to our volunteers for our annual fall clean-up!  We worked along Fort Washington Road to pick up trash and trim the crape myrtle trees planted in previous years.  There is still more to do, but we were able to clear out quite a bit of debris as well. 
• Volunteers were Patti Holcomb, Sabrina Lemieux, Deb Raw, Diane Miceli, Kim Vu, German Cruz, Javier Samayoa, Allette Hannon, Jo Ann Davis, Eunice Theobalds, and Tony Mitchell.
• The picture above is of one of the areas we worked on.  

Jamie Crist

Updated: MD 210 Improvements (MD 228 to Kerby Hill/Livingston) Ranked 18th Project in State

(Click on the image for the Draft CTP. Rankings are on page APP‐A‐1)

• The Prince George’s County Council will welcome Maryland Department of Transportation representatives to the County on Friday, November 1, 2019, for the annual statewide Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Tour. The public meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. in the County Administration Building, Council Committee Room 2027, 14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
• Council Member Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, encourages Prince Georgians to attend Friday’s public meeting with officials, residents and stakeholders, for updates on state highway, transportation and transit issues impacting Prince George’s County, “The Consolidated Transportation Program Tour offers a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from state officials concerning highway and transportation projects impacting Prince George’s County residents and provide feedback on the County’s transportation priorities. We look forward to an insightful meeting and dialogue.”
• Video of the public meeting is here.
• Each year, MDOT representatives visit with Prince George’s County, as part of its tour of all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City, to meet and share the Draft Consolidated Transportation Program, the state’s six-year capital budget for transportation projects.
• The current Prince George's County transportation priority projects list is here.

Update: Does Giant Plan Something Like This for Livingston Square?

(Click on the image for a video clip)

• Click here for pictures of the interior.
• A related clip is "What's next for the Owings Mills Mall".
• Attend Council Member Anderson-Walker's Transforming Communities meeting on Oct 29 to get the answer. The flyer is posted below.
• Giant was a NO SHOW at the Transforming Communities meeting. Monique Anderson-Walker said that was an indication of Giant's disrespect of our community.

They're Called Leaves for a Reason!

(Click on the image for Ellen Paul's article in Greater Greater Washington)

• Leave those leaves on the ground. Yes, get them off the sidewalk and steps, where they are slippery when wet. Get them away from the door so you won’t track them into the house. Get them off the storm drains. Otherwise, let them be.
• But won’t leaves kill the lawn, you may ask? That’s an old myth. Research done at Michigan State University from 2003 to 2009 used mulched leaf litter on the campus lawns. The researchers found that that leaving the leaves on your yard in such a manner not only does your lawn no harm, but it can actually impede weed growth.
• So long as you are mowing the lawn, the leaves get mulched in the bargain. Both the grass clippings – which help the chopped-up leaves to decay – and the leaves will actually benefit the lawn. Of course, your lawn guy disputes that. Leaving the leaves cuts into his revenue. Thank the lawn guy for his advice. Leave the leaves.

Couple Celebrates 76 Year Anniversary at McDonald's Owned by Tantallon Resident

(Click on the image for a video clip)

Expect to Get an Update on Giant/Livingston Square - Oct 29

I’ve only just a minute

I’ve only just a minute,
Only sixty seconds in it.​
Forced upon me, can’t refuse it,​
Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,​
But it’s up to me to use it.​
I must suffer if I lose it,​
Give an account if I abuse it,​
Just a tiny little minute,​
But eternity is in it.​
-Dr. Benjamin E. Mays

The late Rep. Elijah Eugene Cummings recited this poem during his first day on the House floor on April 26, 1996.
On that day he said his mission is to empower people to realize the power is within them, that they too can do the things they want to do.

Thanks to Lester Holt for this insight into a great human being.

Dispose Unused or Expired Prescription Medications in the District VII Lobby - Oct 26

If you don’t properly dispose of the unused or expired prescription drugs in your home, they might find a new one. 
The non-medical use of prescription drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America. The majority of teenagers abusing prescription drugs get them from family and friends—and the home medicine cabinet.

Tantallon Home Has a Barn in its History

(Click on the image for Kathy Orton's Washington Post article)

“If you look at Fort Washington, it’s on the river,” he said. “The fort is a national park, and it’s less than a mile down the road. I’m an outdoors person. We like to run, cycle and hike. I didn’t know this existed. I didn’t know you could have miles of hiking trails within a mile of your house and still be 25 minutes from D.C.”

Country’s largest community solar project opens in Fort Washington

(Click on the image for Jessica Ricks' Sentinel report)

• The 6.6-megawatt community solar project, located at the intersection of Tucker Road and Palmer Road, was initially announced last year. The project broke ground on Nov. 30, and although it was expected to have opened in March, the project finally got up and running this week.
• As part of the Pepco service territory, the project will serve 1,200 subscribers making it what its owners believe to be the largest residential community solar project in the country.

Ron Haney to be Interred at Arlington National Cemetery - Dec. 6th

Ron’s interment with full military honors isn scheduled for December 6 at 11:00 AM at Arlington National Cemetery. It’s recommended you arrive at the cemetery between 10 and 10:15.
Please check https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Attending-a-Funeral for more information.
From the TCA Newsletter:

Ronald Haney, 69, of Arrow Park Drive died on July 8, 2019 from injuries sustained in a fall while repairing the roof of his home. A native of Michigan, he served in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band for thirty years in the tuba section. Ron was a well-established freelance tubist in the DC area, who played in every type of ensemble from Oktoberfest and Dixieland combos to classical orchestras and chamber ensembles. An active member of the Oxon Hill Bicycle and Trail Club, Ron was a frequent and willing volunteer, always available to help in any capacity. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara; they met/married while both were serving in “The President’s Own.”

October Meetings and Events curated by Sarah Cavitt, Indian Head Highway Area Action Council (IHHAAC)

Reduced Cost for Dog Adoptions in October

(Click on the image for the County's flyer)

Police Thanksgiving Dinner

Dear Neighbors,

To express our thanks to the guardians of our community, the District VII Citizens Advisory Council is once again sponsoring a Thanksgiving appreciation meal for the police officers at District VII on Friday, November 15th.
Our community was very generous in providing support to this event last year and this year I again reach out to you for tax deductible donation.
Please make checks out to District VII Citizens Advisory Council and send them to Treasurer (Ron Weiss) at 12511 Haxall Ct., Fort Washington, MD 20744. I’ll provide our 501 (c) (3) EIN to you at your request.
You are welcome to visit District VII on Nov. 15 to personally thank the men and women who keep us safe.

Thank you.
Ron Weiss