From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Friday, May 09, 2008

MOUNT RAINIER DAY FESTIVAL

The Mount Rainier Day Festival will once again feature a PARADE; food, craft, and informational vendors; a variety of bands, and other entertainers; and a host of fun activities for our children of all ages (including cotton candy)!

WHEN: MAY 17, 2008

WHERE: DOWNTOWN MOUNT RAINIER (RHODE ISLAND AVENUE)

TIMES: 8:00am TO 10:00am VENDORS SET UP

10:00am VENORS OPEN FOR SERVICE

10:00am GREETINGS AND WELCOME

10:30am PARADE LINE UP

11:00am PARADE BEGINS

12:00n PARADE ENDS

12:10pm MAYOR MILES AND MAYOR FENTY MAKES MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT

12:15pm BANDS AND OTHER PERFORMANCES BEGIN

6:00pm MOUNT RAINIER DAY FESTIVAL ENDS

...and throughout the day our LOCAL ARTISTS invite you to TOUR THE GATEWAY ARTS DISTRICT STUDIOS!

Over 50 artists throughout the municipalities of Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville will open their studios to the public on Saturday, May 17th from 12 Noon to 5 PM. Most studios are along a 2.1-mile stretch of the Route 1/Baltimore Avenue/Rhode Island Avenue corridor, but some are located in Mount Rainier's former industrial district at Otis and Wells.

The Gateway Arts District Open Studio Tour is a public self-guided tour of professional and home based studios showcasing a variety of mediums---painting, sculpture, glass, photography, mixed media, clay/ceramics, printmaking and craftwork. Most studios are centrally located in the city of Mount Rainier with the Hyattsville Community Artists Alliance exhibiting at the Lustine Showroom as part of Arts District Hyattsville.

Home to many of the DC areas most celebrated artists and studios, which include DC GlassWorks, Red Dirt Studio, The Washington Glass School and Studio, FLUX, and the Quixote Center Gallery the arts district is a veritable hot spot of highly acclaimed artists that produce works that are exhibited and collected nationally and internationally. Artists include Margaret Boozer, Tim Tate, Ellyn Weiss, Laurel Lukaszewski, David D'Orio, Crisley McCarson, Kyan Bishop, Yvon Fleurival and many more.

A highlight of the tour includes the installation and printmaking show, Michael B. Platt: Lost and Found at the H & F Fine Arts Gallery. A native Washingtonian whose works are in collections at the Corcoran Gallery, the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, and the Library of Congress, Platt often focuses on the history of marginalized populations of Africa and the African Diaspora. A collaborative effort with poet Carol Beane, Lost and Found is set against the backdrop of American Slavery and the implications of Hurricane Katrina.

Drop in on classes and demonstrations at performing arts venues-World Arts Focus at Joe's Movement Emporium, Alafia Professional Dance Space, and Artmosphere Digital Arts Café.

This project is produced by Gateway CDC, with support provided by the Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Prince George's County, Division of Arts and Cultural Heritage. For further information or press inquiries, contact Tonya Jordan at 301-864-3860, ext. 1 or email: tonya@gateway-cdc.org.

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.