Useful Information from the Dec 6 Community Partners Meeting

(Click on the image for the briefing)

• Tips on Winter conditions: page 7
• Call-A-Bus improved service: pages 10-14
• Nuisance Abatement Board process: pages 22-27
• Administrative Hearing Process (speeding up compliance with property standards: pages 28-25
• Department of Environment (reduced cost for pets adoptions): pages 39-56

Medical Alert Devices - The Best Way To Get Help?

(Click on the image for the Washington Consumers' report)

• Today more than 3 million (mostly senior) customers own these gadgets, and many models can use cell signals to communicate. They cost about $11 to $52 a month.
• How to find the best one? We’ll get to that. More important is to ask if a medical alert device is the best tool for the job of calling 911 for help. Most of them are not, and our tests of several different models found many companies actually delay emergency response, not facilitate it.
• See Susan Hogan's News4 report, "Some Medical Alert Devices May Actually Delay Response".

Our Local History - If You Are Curious, There's a Lot to Know

These books are available from:

• "Harmony Hall and the Silesia Community" - Carol Tilch, 301-292-3148, ctutt8@verizon.net
• "Along the Potomac Shore in Prince George's County" - Judy Meade, 301-292-9386, meaderj@msn.com
• "Accokeek (Images of America)" - Amazon Books

Alsobrooks to Have Smooth Transition to Prince George's Exec

(Click on the image for Tracee Wilkins' News4 report)

Which Grocery Stores Offer the Best Prices and Quality?

(Click on the image for the Washington Consumers' Checkbook summary)

Note: The summary is available to all but the individual store ratings require a subscription. Copies of Washington Consumers' Checkbook are available in local libraries.

Checkbook surveys consumers and evaluates the quality and prices of local service providers and products. Subscriptions help to fund this valuable source of unbiased information.

Complaints about noise from Washington-area airports skyrocket

(Click on the image for Lori Aratani's Washington Post report)

• Complaints about noise from flights at the Washington region’s three major airports more than doubled last year, according to statistics compiled by the agencies that manage the facilities.
• Residents filed more than 96,000 noise complaints linked to flights at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall, Reagan National and Dulles International airports in 2017 — more than double the number filed the previous year.
• In a shift from previous years, the majority of complaints about National — roughly 31,000 — came from residents in Maryland. In previous years, D.C. residents, particularly in Northwest Washington, had been the most vocal about aircraft noise. The largest number of complaints came from people living in the Maryland communities of Accokeek, Bethesda, Potomac and Rockville.
• [How to Submit an Aircraft Noise Complaint for Reagan National]

Kindness Contagion

(Click on the image for Jamil Zaki's Scientific American article)

Conformity gets a bad rap, and it often deserves one. People abuse drugs, deface national parks, and spend $150,000 on tote bags after seeing others do so. Peer pressure doesn’t have to be all bad, though. People parrot each other’s voting, healthy eating, and environmental conservation efforts, too. They also “catch” cooperation and generosity from others. Tell someone that his neighbors donated to a charity, and that person will boost his own giving, even a year later. Such good conformity appears promising, but also narrow. Prior experiments, for instance, focus almost exclusively on people who observe others engage in a particular positive action (say, recycling) and later imitate that same action.
In a set of new studies, my colleagues and I highlight a broader flavor of positive conformity. We find that people imitate not only the particulars of positive actions, but also the spirit underlying them. This implies is that kindness itself is contagious, and that that it can cascade across people, taking on new forms along the way. To be a potent social force, positive conformity requires such flexibility. Not everyone can afford to donate to charity or spend weeks on a service trip to Haiti. Witnessing largesse in others, then, could inhibit would-be do-gooders who feel that they can’t measure up. Our work suggests that an individual’s kindness can nonetheless trigger people to spread positivity in other ways.

Here’s What Crystal City Will Look Like After Amazon Arrives

(Click on the image for  Marisa M. Kashino's Washingtonian report)

Planning for Snow

(Click on the image for the full briefing)

• Primary and Collector Roads – plowed during snowfall, treated only if needed during snowfall.
• Residential Roads – plowed after snowfall ends.
       Secondary Roads – plowed first
       Cul-de-sacs and Dead Ends – plowed last
• Park off the road if at all possible, on narrow roads - park on the even side, never park on a snow emergency route.
• Clear driveways, hydrants, mailboxes and sidewalks after plowing is completed.
• Remove hoses from outside spigots and drain interior pipes leading to the spigots.
• Be very careful with space heaters.
• Be prepared for power outages (does your sump pump have a battery backup?).
• Be prepared for water main breaks (WSSC reports 819 breaks in January alone).
• Look out for vulnerable neighbors.

Maryland Homeowners Surprised by $40,000 Flood Cleanup Bill

(Click on the image for Susan Hogan's News4 report)

"After flash flooding swept through Frederick, Maryland, in May, homeowners hired a company to clean up the damage, but they said they weren’t kept up to date about the cost of the cleanup and they were shocked when the bill came to more than $40,000."

Don't Get Bitten by Pet Insurance

(Click on the image for the Washington Consumers' Checkbook report)

To assess the true value of pet insurance, we gathered premium quotes from nine plans, obtained price data showing what veterinarians actually charge for hundreds of services, and interviewed executives from nine leading insurers. We worked with the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to develop a reasonable basket of vet services for our model pets: Woof, a medium-size male mixed-breed dog; and Kitty, a male mixed-breed cat. We then conducted an in-depth cost/benefit analysis of the nine plans.

Passing of Margaret Blewitt

Dear Neighbors,
We are sad to report the passing of Margaret Blewitt, a long-time resident of Willow Wind Circle. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

From the Kalas Funeral Home website:
Margaret Hayden Blewitt of Fort Washington, Maryland. Born in Bronx, New York June 25, 1931. Passed away in her sleep from respiratory failure on November 2, 2018 at the age of four score and seven (87) years. Married Don Blewitt February 13, 1954. Mother of 6 children. Grandmother of 12. Followed by a career as a Bank Executive. Retired in 1999. Lived her remaining years and died as she wished at her home of 44 years in Fort Washington, Maryland..
Preceded by Parents John Hayden and Margaret Stapleton Hayden of the Bronx. Brother John Hayden of Bronx. Husband Donald Joseph Blewitt of the Bronx. Brothers and Sisters–in-law, Roy and Gloria Blewitt , Bill and Ginny Schlotman, Eileen Hayden and Joan Blewitt Peterson.
Succeeded by Sons Russ of Delaware, Don of Virginia, and Ted of Virginia. Daughters Jeanne of New York, Pam of Maryland and Deb of Maryland. 12 Grandchildren Mandy, Lauren, Matt, Robbie, Patrick, Skyler, Kellie, Chris, Tori, Drew, Madison and Bailey. 7 Great Grandchildren One surviving Brother in law, Joel Peterson of South Carolina, 21 Nieces and Nephews, well over 40 of their beloved Spouses, Great Nieces and Nephews .
Viewing at Kalas Funeral Home in Oxon Hill, MD. Friday November 9, 2018. 2-4 pm. and 6-8 pm.
Funeral Mass at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Piscataway, Maryland. Saturday November 10, 2018 at 11 am.

Dr. Haitham Hijazi, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement, Retires

The Status of Retail and What the County Is Doing to Improve It (from Sep 2016)

(Click on the image for the briefing)

• Too many shopping centers (241) in county and too many are strip/convenience or neighborhood type.
• Too much inventory suppresses rent and encourages "Mom & Pop" stores to move to better centers.
• Lower-end stores at better centers discourage higher-end shoppers from shopping there and higher-end stores from moving there.
• The lack of higher-end retail causes consumers to spend $1.4 billion annually out of the county. That's the cost of MGM National Harbor!
• Response from local officials: Retail location decisions are made by private enterprise, not government. Fort Washington has the demand and the income but not the population density to attract higher-end retail.

Passing of Lloyd Richards

Dear Neighbors,

We are sad to report the passing of Lloyd Richards, a former resident of St. Alban Circle and River Forest Lane. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Lloyd Wayland Richards, Capt. USN, Retired

Lloyd Wayland Richards, Captain, USN, Retired passed away peacefully October 26, 2017 with his loving family by his side in Phoenix, Arizona.  Lloyd was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska on March 1st, 1931 (St. David’s Day in Wales) to Lloyd R. and Esther (Rice) Richards.  Growing up in Nebraska with younger brother Kenneth and sister Elizabeth, one would not expect that Lloyd W. would find a career in the US Navy. 

Yet, while attending the University of Rochester, Lloyd became deeply involved with the USN ROTC, which sealed his career.  There he met and married his first wife Joy E. Riefler, the mother of his four children; eldest son Jeffrey, daughters Holly, Tamara and Monica.  Joy passed in 1971 and Lloyd married the love of his life, Leola White in 1972.

Lloyd's career in the Navy advanced rapidly as a pilot of both the A-3 Skywarrior and A-6A Intruder.  During the Vietnam conflict, Lloyd deployed 7 times aboard USN Carriers, serving in Attack and Heavy Attack Squadrons; VA-215, VA-122, VAH-123, VAH-2, VA-128 and VA-196 earning the Bronze Star.  In 1969, Lloyd was shot down and severely wounded over Laos, earning him a Purple Heart.  Upon recovery, Lloyd returned to combat as the commanding officer of Attack Squadron VA-196.  Returning to the States, Lloyd attended and completed an MS degree at the National War College in Washington DC, achieving the rank of Captain in the USN and serving at the Pentagon.

Upon retirement, Lloyd along with Leola sold real estate for 24 years in Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C.  His recreational interest was golf and lawn bowls.

Predeceasing Lloyd are his parents, his first wife Joy, his daughter Tamara and grandson, Jesiah Richards.

Surviving him are wife Leola, younger siblings Ken, Liz, his son and remaining daughters, 17 remaining grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.

Lloyd and Leola recently moved from Oak Harbor Washington to Sun City West Arizona where they are fortunate to have many friends.

Interment will occur at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 9 AM. If you’re planning on attending, meet at the Administration building prior to 8:15am. Cars will caravan to the gravesite.

Following the service, there will be an informal reception from 11am to 2pm at the Holiday Inn Arlington at Ballston (4610 Fairfax Dr. Arlington VA 22203, Phone 703-243-9800).

Refreshments will be available.

With questions or concerns please email Leola at, leola@richardsweb.com or call 360-632-8092.

Donations may be made in memorandum to the US Navy League or the Tailhook Association.

Prince George’s approves matching funds for local candidates — starting in 2026

(Click on the image for Rachel Chason's report in The Washington Post)

• The Prince George’s County Council narrowly approved public financing for local political candidates early Wednesday, following a marathon meeting that marked the end of this year’s legislative session.
• Citing concerns about how the county would afford to provide matching funds to political candidates who agree to forgo large donations, the council delayed implementation of the bill until 2026.
• To participate in the program, candidates must not accept donations exceeding $250. Donations up to $150 that do not come from family members would be matched by public dollars.
• Advocates heralded the bill, which passed 5-to-4, as a key way to open politics to new, diverse candidates and increase the power of small donors. Its opponents said taxpayer dollars would be better spent on issues such as education and public safety.
• “It’s about democracy,” said bill sponsor Mary A. Lehman (D-District 1). “It’s about allowing people to run on ideas . . . not dialing for dollars, actually talking to voters.”

Prince George’s County Council approves strict regulations on short-term rentals

(Click on the image for Rachel Chason's report in The Washington Post)

• "One week after the D.C. Council delayed a vote on similar legislation, the Prince George’s County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban residents from renting out second homes on short-term platforms such as Airbnb."
• "The bill prevents homeowners from renting their properties on platforms such as Airbnb for more than 30 consecutive days. They can rent their properties for up to 90 days a year when they are not home, or up to 180 days a year when they are home — but the total number of rental days cannot exceed 180."

The Campaign to End Loneliness

(Click on the image for the campaign's homepage)

The Campaign to End Loneliness believe that people of all ages need connections that matter.
There are nine million lonely people in the UK and four million of them are older people. Many older people find constant loneliness hardest to overcome. They lack the friendship and support we all need.
[Note: Loneliness is not just a problem in the UK and it's not just a problem for older people. "A survey by Action for Children found that 43% of 17 – 25 year olds who used their service had experienced problems with loneliness, and that of this same group less than half said they felt loved.
Action for Children have also reported 24% of parents surveyed said they were always or often lonely."]

Advice From Health Care’s Power Users

(Click on the image for Margot Sanger-Katz's New York Times report)

"If the health care system seems confusing to you, you are not alone. In a large recent survey of the most seriously ill people in America, we learned that they, too, find it difficult to navigate. But they have developed a few strategies for getting through. Here are some tips and pitfalls about how to be sick from a group with lived experience."

• Keep records and bring them
• Find an advocate
• Ask questions, and listen

"When asked about specific types of misunderstanding, 18 percent said advice by different medical professionals conflicted, and 15 percent said they couldn’t even understand what was being done to them. Twenty-two percent said that hospital staffers weren’t responsive to their needs.
Perhaps that’s why seven of the survey’s respondents also offered the following advice: Pray."

Thank you to our 3 volunteers for Clean Up, Green Up Day

Despite one of our lowest turnouts ever (only 3 other people participated), we still managed to plant 5 crape myrtle trees, 10 red bud trees, 50 daffodil bulbs, and pick up trash.  The trees are along Fort Washington Road between St. Andrews and the southern intersection with West Tantallon Drive.  We added one crape myrtle on the small island on St. Andrews Drive to replace the tree that had died there a few years ago. 
Thank you to Carter Ferrington (who helped me plant the trees), Jacque Akselrad, and JoAnn Davis.  And a big thank you again to Mariano Flaim, of Flaim Brothers, Inc., for picking up the trees, mulch, and bulbs from the county!  We really appreciate his help, as I would not have been able to pick up the trees myself.
Please consider helping us in the future.  It doesn't take that long, and we all enjoy the fruits of our labor.
The trees will need water, so if anyone is interested in watering them, please let me know.   We could also use some help trimming the vines off of the fences along Fort Washington Road. 

--Jamie Crist