MRBA SPONSORS FIRST CANDIDATES' FORUM FOR MAY 4 ELECTION

Mount Rainier Businesses, Neighbors, and Friends,

The Mount Rainier Business Association (MRBA) will be hosting a candidates’ forum on April 8th at 7:00 pm at the Mediterranean Café, 3237 Rhode Island Avenue.

All are invited to attend and meet the candidates running for the Mount Rainier City Council seats in the May 4th election. Mediterranean Café is offering a 15% discount on all orders for the evening. Following a mix and mingle, and introductions, there will be a Q & A session. If you have questions that you would like to be considered, please submit them 

to info@mountrainierbusiness.com no later than April 6th at 5:00 pm. Questions should not be directed at a single candidate. We do not guarantee that all will be included, but we will make every effort to do so.

See you there and looking forward to a lively discussion!

Visiting with our FUTURE ELECTED LEADERS!

On march 14, I had the pleasure of visiting Thomas Stone Elementary School, Mount Rainier, Maryland​ to talk to the fourth grade classes about the "If I Were Mayor Contest..." sponsored annually by the Maryland Municipal League​ (MML).  What an awesome and wonderful experience.  This year's theme of RESPECT went along nicely with President Bruce Wahl​'s theme and platform on CALM (Courtesy Align Learn Move Forward) Yields Civility.

The theme of respect is quite timely as it relates to Mayors and Councils learning to work together.  Even though the job does not come with a position description, there are just some courtesies that come from just plain home training, life experiences, and simple and honest respect for other people.  When brought to the table, people work more harmoniously together, and POSITIVE THINGS get done.  No energy is lost fighting and/or arguing about things.  A united front is formed, and a true force in the community is established.

Without respect, for position, authority, staff, and other council members, all efforts become futile and jeopardize the ongoing forward movement of the municipality.  Without respect councilmember all run in different directs driving their own agenda, and causing confusion among those that might be willing to help.  It also provides the community with a disjointed or dysfunctional council.

Since Civics are no longer taught in many schools, I am proud that MML takes this opportunity to introduce municipal government to fourth grade classes across the entire State of Maryland.  Thank you to the students, teachers, and administrators that helped the three municipal mayors in our area bring municipal government to the classroom.  Here are a few of the pictures that were shared with me from that adventure. 

   

To learn more about the MML Contest, please visit this website: http://www.mdmunicipal.org/index.aspx?NID=168

 The Mayor and Council 

Constituents and others meeting with the Mayor, and of course 

getting autographs!

One of Thomas Stone Elementary's GREAT fourth grade classes!

WELCOME TO MY NEWEST AMERICAN FRIENDS!

Today, I had the true pleasure of watching men and women from more than seventy (70) Countries become AMERICAN CITIZENS!  The system worked, and those men and women took the right step to make the system work for them.  Below are a few or the newest American in the region!

i watched them come in nervous, happy, contented, smiling, and yes, anticipating their new citizenship.

They left feeling like they had conquered the world, and now had a part of the GREAT AMERICAN DREAM.  They were invincible.

Remembering Rosetta Parker

I am only the Mayor of a very small municipality.  I still believe in honesty, fairness, justice, peace, democracy, and YES RESPECT.  I was taught that when some ones gives freely of their service, you accept, honor, and appreciate the gift.  You always take the time to recognize them for their contributions.

One of my former State Delegates died from Alzheimer's no less (the dreaded disease that also claimed the life of my Mother), and there was no mention of her death from any of my political friends and/or associates nor hers from what I have been able to locate.  There were no recollections of her services to our community.  There were no tributes.  No reflections.  There was just no mentioning of one of our fallen leaders -- Rosetta Parker.

I guess that is okay, but it speaks volumes of those who used to smile and laugh in her face while she was here.

It speaks volumes for those who pushed her out front and stated publicly that they were with her on her journey, but forgot about her when she became ill.

It speaks volumes about our respect for others. 

Years ago, I determined for myself that I was living in a throw-away society; that the throw-away society made its full appearance with pampers and the throw away diapers.  Yes, back then, we decided that nothing was worth keeping, not even people.

Everything was made to be used, used up, and thrown away when it no longer served our purpose.  Obviously, former Delegate Rosetta Parker had served her purpose long before she became deceased October 2014.

Rosetta and I were not buddy buddies, but we were friends in some ways.  She was at Mount Rainier Elementary School when my four children attended there.  She and I were leaders of Neighborhood United Projected (NUP).   We went up against a lot of people in our community to make our neighborhoods better.  We did not always see eye-to-eye on how to make that happen, but we always saw eye-to-eye on the need for it to happen so much so that when I ran for State Senator in the 47th when the seat first came open, I asked her to run with me as one of the delegates.  At first she said yes, then a few weeks later called me back and said that she had gotten a better offer, and went on to become one of the first state delegates in our district.

Rosetta Parker deserved to be more than just a footnote on the internet after her passing.  She earned the right to be truly remembered as a leader in the 47th Legislative District.  With this posting, I honor her work, her love of Chillum Ray, and her willingness to go to bat for it when no one else thought it was possible.

Rosetta Parker served as State Delegate of the 47^th under the Late Senator Gwendolyn Britt, and with former now State Senator Victor Ramirez, and former State Delegate Doyle Niemann.

Rest well Rosetta, you have earned the rest.  I mourn your passing as I celebrate your life, and your life's work.

Saying Goodbye to Rosetta Parker

Sitting here this morning feeling some kind of way about the news of the death of a teacher, activist, state delegate and leader in the 47th Legislative District.  Don't know how I missed it, and do not recall seeing anything about it in the news or any of my emails or other media sources, but former Delegate Rosetta Parker died Wednesday, October 29, 2014 -- (Cut and paste this link in your browser to read the full story about Ms. Parker -- http://www.cedarhillfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/1972765/Parker-Rosetta/view-stories.php.)  Sometimes we are just too busy for our own good.

The trend now is to say "Tell somebody today that you love them because tomorrow  is not promised to you."  Well, I would like to add, "If your heart becomes obsessed with thoughts about someone, take the time to call or visit.  It may be your last opportunity."  I say this because somewhere during the early part of October, I started thinking about Rosetta.  I asked around a little, and promptly went on about my business.  A few days ago, I did the same thing, and this time I was given this information, but with no particulars.  I searched the internet today, and got the full story about her death.

Thank God I have no loose ends to mend with her, and no regrets about our relationship, but I am disappointed in me for not following up with my thoughts about her in 2014 when I thought about reaching out to her.

Rest in Peace Rosetta.  You will always be remembered by me for the work you did at Mount Rainier Elementary School in Mount Rainier, Maryland!

Mount Rainier Police Department Forum TONIGHT!

Many of you requested, and we heard you, an opportunity to talk with our police officers.  The MEETING IS TONIGHT at the Mount Rainier Nature Center.  The meeting starts at 6:30pm.  Come out and bring a FRIEND, a NEIGHBOR, and/or a GUEST!

WHERE:  MOUNT RAINIER NATURE CENTER
ADDRESS:  4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier, MD 20712
PHONE:    301-927-2163

WHEN:    TONIGHT, MARCH 19, 2015

TIME:       6:30pm

This is the first one in a series of such meetings to be held around the City.  Bring your questions, concerns, complaints, and, of course, YOUR PRAISES, and let your voice be heard.

I'll be there!  WILL YOU?

NOTE:  You can also REGISTER to VOTE in the City's Municipal Election scheduled for Monday, MAY 4, 2015.  I WILL HAVE VOTER REGISTRATION CARDS!

Councilmember Brent Bolin will not Seek Re-Election

Citizens of Ward 2, and all of the city,

Today I am announcing that I do not intend to run for re-election in the May 2015 city council election. As you know, city council is a part-time position and the majority of us have other careers. I just accepted a new position as regional director at a national non-profit, so the timing is right to put my focus into that. 

Serving the citizens of Mount Rainier has been my privilege, and for that reason it is hard to step back. But I will continue to be an advocate for this city and its citizens. At this time of transition, we need to focus on the things that make Mount Rainier great - our diversity, our working class roots, our sense of community, and our shared vision of the future. We can and should look for new development that improves our tax base and brings in much needed retail and services, but we must not do so at the expense of this community's soul. I hope you will join me in being vocal about preserving our community's personality as well as it's character, because I know that together we can build an inclusive, more financially stable Mount Rainier. After four years I can tell you that the council doesn't hear from the community nearly enough.

I want to thank all of the people that do give their time, energy, and love to Mount Rainier, and in particular those who volunteer on city committees. You are not recognized enough for the work you do on behalf of this city. Thank you to the members of the Mixed Use Town Center Committee and the Green Team that I have been fortunate enough to work with over the last 4 years.

I am very proud of everything we have accomplished in the last 4 years:

Public safety improvements including pedestrian and bicycle improvements

•   Increased police enforcement at Route 1 bus stop aka "The Circle" 

•   Permanent barricade blocking high speed cut through traffic at Perry and 31st Streets 

•   Improved pedestrian facility on Eastern Ave at Bunker Hill Road through outreach to Council of DC

•   Bike infrastructure master plan

•   Installation of new bike racks throughout the downtown area

•   Work with ATHA to improve bike infrastructure throughout the Route 1 corridor and promote bike tourism for our businesses

Sustainability initiatives to save the city money and go green

•   Sustainable Maryland Certified municipality - highest scoring of first four certified communities

•   Green purchasing policy

•   Green infrastructure master plan to plant trees and gardens that reduce runoff and flooding from city roads, etc

•   Buchanan St green street grant

•   Arundel Road green street as part of county levee project

•   Pervious pavement at city hall parking lot and adjoining alley, to reduce runoff and flooding

•   Capital Improvement Plan to begin addressing infrastructure needs including roads, bicycles, and green infrastructure for flooding

Revitalization of our Town Center

•   Promoting a vision of livable, walkable, sustainable Mount Rainier that is safe and productive for all our citizens

•   MUTC Committee has used our new town plan to improve the signage and facades of our businesses

•   Promotion of Arts Lives Here and mural projects throughout the city

•   Better Block Project - demonstrating the potential of our commercial district

•   Increased outreach to Mount Rainier Business Association and new businesses

•   Engaged Rhode Island Ave NE Main Street to build cross border partnership

•   3300 Rhode Island Redevelopment - "The Singer Building" - RFP awarded

•   Perry Street Townhouses - breaking ground in 2015

•   3200 Rhode Island Redevelopment

•   Hiring an Economic Development Director

I'm confident that the new council and staff will keep up the momentum.

Thank you for the confidence you demonstrated in me four years ago, and thank you for all the kind words and support you have offered during my term.

See you around town,

Brent

Brent Bolin

Council member, Ward 2

Mount Rainier, MD

(301) 744-9465

brentcbolin.blogspot.com

twitter.com/bcbolin

15% higher property tax proposed to pay for Pr. George’s schools effort

I guess we REALLY DO NOT CARE about the poor, the elderly, or others who are BARELY HOLDING ON TO THEIR HOMES. HELL, let's just tax them until they walk away from their homes. Forget about the high foreclosures that people are going through. Forget about the fact that all of that foreclosure help that they got four years ago is NOW DUE and "oh who knew" they now must come up with all the back money and everything else. WHY NOT ADD another 15% tax burden and WITHOUT VOTERS VOTING TO ALLOW IT! Par for the course.

Education is IMPORTANT.

Being able to stay in our homes is IMPORTANT.

TAXING IS NOT THE ANSWER.

GOVERNMENT WASTE, OVER PAYMENTS, UNNECESSARY SPENDING, and a host of other ills continues to plaque our government from the top to the bottom.

NO MORE TAXES.  MORE ACCOUNTABILITY for those dollars already being collected.

HOMELESSNESS is unacceptable.

PEOPLE BEING FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES because they can't pay property taxes is unacceptable.

Five years ago, I truly believed that we had a solutions. I actually bet the farm on it.

If you disagree with this huge tax increase, the largest in the region, you will be told that you are against education, you just don't get it, or you don't care about children.  DO NOT LET THIS BULL get in the way of your reasoning.

I care about children.  I have four adult children, seventeen (17) grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.  I CARE ABOUT CHILDREN AND EDUCATION!

I also care about my seniors, my single mothers, and those who are barely holding their lives together on minimum wages.  THIS Suggested tax is unconscionable, and an underhanded way to do what the tax payers have said no to more times than I can remember.

WRITE TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND JUST SAY NO!

SAY yes to prudent and efficient government.

Say yes to efficient and effective government operations.

Say yes to livable wages for all.

SAY yes to cutting excessive salaries and ending kickbacks.

Read this article.  Share it with your neighbors.  Talk about your dream for Prince George's County.  Look at your CURRENT TAX BURDEN, YOUR CURRENT SALARY, and then CHECK out the waste in the COUNTY and where your TAX DOLLARS ARE REALLY GOING!  

THEN WRITE THE LETTER TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SAY NO to this proposed 15% tax increase regardless of where they SAY IT IS GOING TO GO!  Insist on them using the tax dollars they are collecting more wisely and more prudently.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/pr-georges-baker-proposes-higher-property-tax-to-pay-for-schools-effort/2015/03/13/67b6a746-c8f9-11e4-aa1a-86135599fb0f_story.html?postshare=4071426478649155

Mayor and Council AGENDA March 17, 2015

   City of Mount Rainier

   One Municipal Place, Mount Rainier, MD 20712

   Phone: (301) 985-6585 Fax: (301) 985-6595

                                                                                                                                                           

AGENDA

MAYOR AND COUNCIL WORK SESSION

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL UPPER LEVEL

7:00 PM

DISCUSSION TOPICS

ATHA UPDATE                                                                                Aaron Macovitch

Humphrey Management/Renovation/ construction Rainier Manor Update

FY 2016 Budget and Constant Yield Tax Rate                              Wallace/Manjani

Policies and procedures for electronic purchases/distribution

                                                                                                            Mayor

Construction, Redevelopment, Traffic Issues Coming to Mount Rainier                                                                                                                                              Mayor

Speed hump on 28^th Street                                                               Mayor/Knedler

Rules for Speakers

The Mayor and City Council invite and welcome comments at public meetings.  The Mayor or presiding officer will recognize you.   Please introduce yourself at the podium (spelling your last name, for recording purposes) and give the name of your street and block number (e.g., 4300 block of 34^th St.).  Time limits for speaking are indicated on the meeting agenda. 

While speaking, please maintain a courteous tone and avoid personal attacks.

If you wish to lodge a complaint about the performance or conduct of any City employee, please bring your concern to the attention of the City Manager, who will look into the matter and respond to you.

As a courtesy to other residents and businesses, the Council requests that speakers not use specific addresses or names of individuals when describing a situation or making a complaint.  Noting the block is preferred over a specific address.

Code enforcement and public safety issues should first be brought to the attention of the appropriate department and/or one of your Council members.

Please Note:   Pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland, State Government Article Section 10-508(a), the Council by majority vote may retire to executive or closed session at any time during the meeting. Should the Council retire to executive or closed session the chair will announce the reasons and a report will be issued at a future meeting disclosing the reasons for such session.

Did you know that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield was chartered by CONGRESS as a Nonprofit Under D.C. Law

Hundreds of Millions of Dollars at Stake Next Monday will be a very important day for residents of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. That's when CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has been ordered to file a plan with the District's Insurance Commissioner detailing how it intends to spend down excess surplus that is attributable to the company's profits in the District. The amount to be spent down in the District is $56 million. But the amount of excess that is attributable to profits in Maryland and Virginia is much larger--$142 million in Maryland and $70 million in Virginia. Here is how the order to spend down surplus in the District came about and why it matters to everyone in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Congress chartered CareFirst as a Nonprofit Under D.C. Law CareFirst is a nonprofit company. It is the largest health insurer in the mid-Atlantic region. The D.C.-based portion of the company is Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. (GHMSI). GHMSI operates in the District, Northern Virginia, and two counties in Maryland--Montgomery and Prince George's. Unlike the rest of CareFirst, GHMSI is governed by a congressionally enacted charter. That charter provides that GHMSI is to be regulated by the District pursuant to the laws of the District. The reason Congress gave the District this authority was to ensure that conflicts would not develop among the three jurisdictions and because, as Congress said when it established the District's authority in 1993, GHMSI had previously "adeptly played Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. insurance regulators against one another." The D.C. Commissioner Found CareFirst's Surplus Excessive by $268 Million In December, acting pursuant to the congressional charter and the relevant District law, the D.C. Insurance Commissioner found that GHMSI's nearly $1 billion surplus was excessive by $268 million. He therefore ordered the company to submit a plan byMarch 16 for spending down the $56 million in excess attributable to the District. Under District law, the plan can spend down the $56 million through premium reductions, refunds to subscribers, and/or programs to improve health and healthcare. It will then be up to the D.C. Commissioner to decide whether the plan meets the legal requirement of being "fair and equitable." Meanwhile, it will be up to regulators in Maryland and Virginia to decide whether and how to spend down the $212 million in excess attributable to those two jurisdictions. CareFirst Seeks to Avoid Returning Excess to D.C.--and Maryland and Virginia Unfortunately, rather than focusing on how best to use this excess surplus in ways that will allow the company to meet its nonprofit mission to serve current, past, and potential subscribers, CareFirst is seeking instead to avoid spending any of its excess surplus at all. And it is doing so through the very strategy Congress meant to prohibit--by playing the District, Maryland, and Virginia against each other. For example, CareFirst has suggested to Maryland lawmakers that the District is improperly attempting to take revenues that belong to Maryland. But that is not so. The D.C. Commissioner has jurisdiction only over the portion of GHMSI's excess surplus that is attributable to its profits in the District. And the Commissioner has very conservatively estimated those profits as only 21% of the company's overall profits, leaving to the Maryland and Virginia Commissioners to determine how--if at all--to use the remaining 79% to benefit residents of those jurisdictions. Even worse, CareFirst has made clear that instead of spending down its excess surplus to benefit residents of the three jurisdictions, it plans to use that surplus instead to go to court or lobby Congress to make sure that it can never be required to spend down any of its excess surplus to benefit residents in any of the three jurisdictions. The Entire Region Deserves a Company that Meets Its Nonprofit Mission We believe it is time for CareFirst to be held accountable to its mission as a nonprofit. We also believe now is the moment when residents and officials of the three jurisdictions should make clear to the company that they want it to start meeting that mission. The benefits of doing so are huge: investing $268 million in reduced premiums and/or improved health care can make a big difference in the lives of a lot of people in this region. Sincerely, Walter Smith Executive Director DC Appleseed

County Councilmember Taveras meets with Gateway Mayors

County Councilmember Taveras and her Chief of Staff, Micah Watson braved the weather to meet with the Gateway Art District's mayors this morning.  Lots of issues were discussed, and updates on various projects in each of the municipalities were provided.

Great meeting! Thanks to all for coming out in this weather and for the exchange of information!  See all of you next month, Friday, April 3, 2015 at 8:30am Brentwood Town Hall!

PRICE RITE looking for a few VOLUNTEERS on March 9

Looking for a volunteer opportunity CLOSE TO HOME!

Ms. Ida Kutechko, an AmeriCorps VISTA with Cooking Matters, the organization that will be running the upcoming Community Event Day at the Price Rite in Hyattsville on March 9th is looking for a few GOOD VOLUNTEERS.

They are a bit short staffed for the event need your help and a few hours of your time. 

If interested d in volunteering with this event, feel free to contact Ida at (224)392-4155. 

NO RECYCLING PICK UP ON March 6, 2015!

Out Public Works Department has issued the following:

“Due to the weather conditions and possible refreeze tonight, recycle collection will be cancelled tomorrow.  We will collect both recycle and yard waste on Monday.”

Please act accordingly. 

Remember to clean your sidewalks within 24 HOURS after the last snow falls.  DO NOT over exert.  Seniors, call Public Works, if you are unable to shovel your sidewalks.  They may not be able to help, but at least we will be aware of the condition of the sidewalks, and maybe get some of our younger residents to help out.

Streets are in a MESS to say the least.  We are working hard to get emergency routes cleaned, and then move on to the rest of the streets in the City.  IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE OUT THERE, PLEASE PLEASE stay at home.  If you are on a snow emergency route, PLEASE move your car(s).

REMEMBER to call 911 for emergencies.

Posted closings for everyone else, SORRY ABOUT THAT! The City is CLOSED.

Dear all:

The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Warning for the District of  Columbia and surrounding jurisdictions effective 12 midnight March 5, 2015 through 9 pm March 5, 2015. Heavy Snow accumulating 4-8 inches is expected as of the alert I received at 7:00 am this morning.  I am therefore declaring that a Snow Emergency for the City of Mount Rainier for the same time period, i.e.,  12 midnight through 9pm tomorrow, March 5, 2014.  THE CITY OF MOUNT RAINIER WILL BE OPEN but delayed m(depending on the conditions in the am) for essential employees reporting to work (managers, public safety sworn officers, and public works personnel), managers allowed to telework or use liberal leave, and other employees allowed to be on administrative leave.   Therefore, we will more than likely have a skeleton crew on hand tomorrow.  The delayed status will be posted on WUSA9 and Fox5 by 7:00 am.

The police department personnel are working on flyers with this information right now.  We will also notify the apartment complexes and notices will be posted on all of our communication outlets and the listserv. 

Veronica and Gerome – please post this information.

Thanks,

Jeannelle Branson Wallace

City Manager

City of Mount Rainier

One Municipal Place

Mount Rainier, Maryland 20712

(301) 985-6585 (Direct)

Open Wide the Doors of Opportunity for Our Latina Women Program at Elizabeth Seton High School

When you listen to the many negative statements made about education in Prince George's County Maryland you COULD get caught up in the rhetoric.  However, if you look a little closer, you will see that there has been and continue to be improvement.  Visited two schools last night (see earliest post on Thomas Stone Elementary School in Mount Rainier, MD).

The program, "Open Wide Doors of Opportunity for Our Latina Women," was an inspiring program that seeks to include Latina women in our larger culture in non-traditional ways.  Sister Ellen Marie Hager welcomed the audience and introduced the honorees, students, and guests.  I was most impressed with the presentations by the students who are seeking careers in law, biotechnology, and science!

A few pictures of the honorees and attendees.

County  Councilmemember Andrea Harrison

 District 2 County Councilmember Deni Taveras 

and Honoree Olga Noriega

 Honoree Reverend Gail Addison

 Obie Pinckney and board members of End Time Harvest Ministries present Sister Ellen with $1000 Scholarship Check.

Two of the students speaking with the audience about their dreams, goals, and accomplishments!  Simply inspiring.  Shared with the audience a robot that they built as one of their projects.

Thomas Stone Elementary presents "The Black History Month Extravaganza!"

Wednesday night was another great night in the Great City of Mount Rainier, MD.  Thomas Stone Elementary hosted its Black History Month program, and what an awesome and awe inspiring program.  Here are a few pictures of some of the characters enacted by teachers and students.

 Students introduced to the audience some of the great inventions by Black men and women, including the straighting comb that many women use with the hair today.

 Staff enacted Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald in a grand performance.

 ...and of course, Whoopi Goldberg and the first Black student to integrate a White school, Ruby Bridges were on hand to host the entire show.  Not to mention in the audience was filled with Black legends such as Alice Walker, Lorraine Hansberry, Bob Marley, Serena Williams, Miriam Makeba, and a host of other greats!

 Principal Helda Morad-Melotis welcomed parents and students to the Black History Month Extravaganza at Thomas Stone Elementary School, Mount Rainier, MD. 

 We were also joined by Dinora A. Hernandez, District 3 School Board Representative.

All and all a GREAT PERFORMANCE.  Lots of creativity and thought went into this presentation at Thomas Stone!

Mount Rainier's City Council Experiences TWO firsts Tuesday Night

On Tuesday night, March 3, 2015, Mount Rainier Swore in its Board of Elections.  All seven members of the Board were present, and followed their swearing in with a meeting of the Board.  Here is the Board of Elections with Mayor Malinda Miles, and Vice Mayor Jesse Christopherson.

Prior to the swearing in, former City Councilmember, now State Delegate Jimmy Tarlau made official presentations to new Councilmembers Jacqlyn Riposo and Bryn Knedler (former Councilmember and Mayor).  This official presentation was then followed by another official presentation to our new Councilmembers by former Cheverly Councilmember, and now Chief of Staff for County Councilmember Deni Taveras.

A free Community Day at our Price Rite on Queens Chapel Road

Cooking Matters will be hosting a free Community Day at our Price Rite on Queens Chapel Road on Monday, 3/9 from 1:00 - 5:00 pm!

There will be stations manned with volunteers who will help participants take a self-guided nutritional shopping tour of the store where they can learn how to shop and cook healthy meals on a budget. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to take a "shopping challenge" and they will receive a $10 gift card to help!

I'm wondering if Mount Rainier residents would want to attend.   Please feel free to share!

Many thanks and please contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,
Janine Nickel
Marketing and Community Outreach
The Shops at Queens Chillum and
The Shoppes at Metro Station
jnickel@maiseldevelopment.com
m 301-529-3603

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) invites you to attend one of the following community meetings

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) invites you to attend one of the following community meetings to share your input on how the district will prioritize future school construction and renovation projects:

March 4 • 6:30 p.m. (for schools in the Northern Planning Area)
Northwestern High School
Library Media Center
7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville 

March 10 • 6:30 p.m. (for schools in the Central Planning Area)
Charles H. Flowers High School
Library Media Center
10001 Ardwick-Ardmore Road, Springdale 

March 11 • 6:30 p.m. (for information on schools in the Southern Planning Area)
Oxon Hill High School
Library Media Center
6701 Leyte Road, Oxon Hill

Community input from the three meetings will be used in creating the Master Plan Support Project (MPSP) report and the next Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP), which is used to develop the annual and six-year Capital Improvement Plans (CIP).

Dinner and child care for school-aged children (ages 4 and up) will be provided free of charge.  Please call 301-952-6597 the day before the scheduled meeting to sign up for child care services.

To see which Planning Area your school is in, download the MPSP Community Meetings by clicking here. (en español)