It Could be YOU! Blessed

I was reminded this morning about how cold it is outside.

In the reminder, I was asked to pray for the homeless, and that made me think about where I was and my present condition.

In my own home.

Warm and comfortable.

I control the heat.

Food in the cabinets.

A stove to cook it on.

Dishes and silverware to use.

Clean water to drink.

Glasses in the cabinet.

The list just kept growing, and I just could not list everything for which I’d been given and continue to be provided.  One word came to mind – BLESSED!

When we have so much, we are often lulled into thinking that everybody else has what we have. We forget that there are those who have nothing not because they are lazy, shiftless, uneducated, or some other reason, but because they have lost their jobs, hospital bills, fires, and, yes, bad choices and so on.

Pray, yes.  Prayer does change things.  We are admonished to pray without ceasing.  Many of us do, and many of us do not believe in prayer, but one thing for sure, all of us are human, and prayer will not keep us warm in 32 and below temperatures.  The truth of the matter is we need clothing.  When we are hungry, prayer will give us hope, but it will not stop the hunger pains, food will do that.

What is the point?  We should always pray, but we should also take action to eliminate basic human needs – hunger, homelessness, available health care, job opportunities, and livable wages.  None of us are in a position to take the high road and look down on those that are less fortunate.

But for grace and mercy, many of us would be in their condition. Let's not only pray but share some of our blessings with them. So, today, buy a bag of groceries and give it to someone in need. Buy two donuts and two cups of coffee and share one with a homeless person. There are lots that we can do, and no one needs ever know that you did -- well not everyone will not know because God is always watching.

Christmas Baskets Donation Due TODAY!

Good morning, Mount Rainier and surrounding areas as well as the rest of the world. LOL

Today is D-Day for our Christmas Baskets. If you are donating perishables (turkeys, hams, chickens, beef, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, butter, etc.), can goods, or other items for our Christmas Baskets please bring it to the Mount Rainier Police Station between 9:00 a.m and 8:30 p.m tonight.

If you wish to volunteer, do not hesitate to come and be a part of this demonstration of love for our community and our residents. The feeling you will get and carry for the rest of the holidays, and maybe even 2019 will be worth it. You also get an opportunity to interact with neighbors, see our police department and our officers in another light. So, come on out, every minute is not just working, but we will get the job done.

FORGOT WHAT TO DONATE? That's okay, here is the basic list:

Cranberry sauce -- lots
Jiffy mix -- lots
Stuffing mix -- lots
Green Beans, corn, black beans, red beans, mixed vegetables, etc. (CAN GOODS all kinds are welcome-
Rice
Elbow macaroni
Peas
Carrots
Cake mix
Icing
Gravy
Potatoes (white and sweet)
Can milk
Onions
Turkeys
Roast (beef, pork, lamb, etc.)
Celery
Beverages (water, juice, ice tea, lemonade, etc.)
Whatever you wish to give, I will distribute.

Just remember its Christmas, and the food is going to homes that are barely making it, need a hand UP, may not have a job, and just NEED A LITTLE KINDNESS!

Thank you to everyone in and around the community (including my friends and former Mount Rainians) for always helping to make this season brighter in Mount Rainier. Your love and caring are appreciated.

THE DOUBLE DUTCH EXHIBIT/COMPETITION at the Mount Rainier Day Festival

DOUBLE DUTCH performance by the Greenbelt S.I.T.Y. Stars May 19, 2018, at 1:00 pm.

The Double Dutch competition will follow:

First prize $100

Second prize $75

Third prize $50

Honorable mentioning $25 -- may have more than one, if the money is right, AND if the performance warrants it!

DOUBLE DUTCH ANYONE?

Remember to sign up for the competition at the Mount Rainier Day Festival. Sign up will start at 10:00 am.

Mr. "C" there are some challenges out there waiting to take YOU ON! Hope you plan to show up for this marvelous event.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI46rsQR83k

May is National Bike Month/Bikeshare in Prince George’s County

Good morning!

May is National Bike Month, and Friday, May 18, 2018 is Bike to Work Day!

That day, there will be 12 registered pit stops throughout Prince George’s County.

Please join us at the first-ever Prince George’s County-hosted pit stop at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building on McCormick Drive in Largo.

There will be giveaways, snacks, bicycle-related demonstrations, and more!

The Largo pit stop will be open from 6:30am-8:30am, and everyone is welcome – whether you’ll be biking or not.

Plus, at 9am at the Largo pit stop, a special announcement will be made regarding bikeshare in Prince George’s County!

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

We hope you’ll plan to stop by, and don’t forget to spread the word!

Thanks,

Courtney

Courtney Ward

Community Liaison

Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation

Office of the Director

9400 Peppercorn Place

Suite 300

Largo, Maryland 20774

Main: 301-883-5600

E-mail: cnward@co.pg.md.us

Gateway's Open Studio Tours on Mount Rainier Day May 19, 2018

Gateway CDC is pleased to collaborate with Mayor Miles and the City of Mount Rainier, on May 19, for the culmination of the 14th Open Studios Tour on Mount Rainier Day.

Festivities will include:

Pan Masters Steel Band will Kick-off our festivities to welcome visitors to both events.

Creative Edge Cinema Lounge at the Mediterranean Café will feature film shorts, by local filmmakers

"The Collective," an exhibit of ArtWorks by local artists will be on display at the Gateway's 39th Street Gallery.

The Menkiti Group will open up the Historic Singer Building for performance art, and family fun activities.

Gateway's Media Arts Lab will be the home base for artists located at 3311 Rhode Island Ave.

Visitors, artists, tourists, please pick up all maps guides and all other promotional materials at 3311 Rhode Island Ave., or visit GatewayOpenStudios.org

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fpgpmyui5svgtbt/27_Gateway%20CDC_FINAL.mov?dl=0

The Mount Rainier Day Festival 2018

It is TIME to get excited about the Mount Rainier Day Festival and the Gateway Art District Open Studio Tours!

At the Committee meeting tonight, it was awesome just sitting and listening to all of the things that will be happening on Mount Rainier Day.

STAY TUNED. Start watching for the next BIG THING that will be happening in Mount Rainier on May 19, 2018.

Double Dutch is coming.

Northwestern's ROTC

Largo Marching Band

Live performances -- throughout the day at the old Urban Eats location and in the Singer Building as part of the Open Studio Tours!

There will be van transportation to all of the events all day long for the young and old!

YES, we have VENDORS -- food, jewelry, clothes, and much much more!

Did I mention that there will be a PARADE? There will be a parade, and it is growing every day.

LOOKING FORWARD to seeing all of you on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

VENDING OPPORTUNITY will close at 4:30 p.m. May 11, 2018.

NEXT MEETING OF the MOUNT RAINIER DAY FESTIVAL COMMITTEE: May 14, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. Rainier Manor 1 3001 Queens Chapel Road. There is still time to volunteer.

Snow Emergency Announcement for Mount Rainier, MD

March 21, 2018, 1:00pm

Mount Rainier Declares SNOW EMERGENCY. PLEASE act accordingly.

Due to the winter weather event, The City of Mount Rainier has declared a Snow Emergency to be in effect beginning 1:00 pm on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

Parking on Emergency Routes is prohibited during a Snow Emergency.

Emergency Routes are as follows:

1.    34th Street from Eastern Avenue to Arundel Road

2.    Chillum Road from Arundel Road to the City boundary at Queens Chapel Road, MD Rt. 500

3.    Rainier Avenue from 34th Street to Upshur Street

4.    Upshur Street from Rainier Avenue to 28th Place

5.    28th Place from Upshur Street to Russel Avenue

6.    Russel Avenue from 28th Place to Arundel Road

7.    Varnum Street from Russel Avenue to Eastern Avenue

8.    Arundel Road from Russel Avenue to 34th Street

Wednesday trash collection is suspended until Thursday, March 22, 2018. Public Works Crews are out plowing during the snow emergency.

For questions or concerns, please contact:

Mount Rainier Snow Emergency Lines are 301-674-9175

In case of emergency, call 911

Free Health Resources Provided by Doctors Community Health System

Monday, March 05, 2018

Free Health Resources Provided by Doctors Community Health System

Throughout the year, Doctors Community Health System offers numerous screenings and support groups. Some of the upcoming events include:

Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings

Doctors Community Hospital

8116 Good Luck Road

Professional Office Building, Suite 110

Lanham, MD 20706

301-552-8524 | DCHweb.org/breast

Women who reside in Prince George’s County may qualify if they have a photo or picture ID, are ages 40 or older, are uninsured or underinsured or have a limited income.  Appointment required.

Free Colorectal Cancer Screening Program

Doctors Community Hospital

8100 Good Luck Road

North Building, 4th Floor

Lanham, MD 20706

301-552-7705 | DCHweb.org/prevention

Colon or colorectal cancer is often preventable and curable.  If you’re a Prince George’s County resident you may qualify for a no cost colonoscopy if you are ages 50 or older, ages 50 or younger with a family history of colorectal cancer, or uninsured or underinsured.  Appointment required.

Join this American Lung Association club to get support, education and socialization with people who have chronic lung disease as well as their family members and caregivers.

Free Breast Cancer Support Group

Third Tuesday of Each Month, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Doctors Community Hospital

8100 Good Luck Road

North Building, 4th Floor, Room 415

Lanham, MD 20706

240-542-3034 | DCHweb.org/breast

Join women who are newly diagnosed with or are recovering from breast cancer.

Free Diabetes Support Group

Third Monday of Each Month, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Doctors Community Hospital

8100 Good Luck Road

North Building, 5th Floor, DSE Room

Lanham, MD 20706

301-552-8661 | DCHdiabetes.org

Join people who have diabetes as well as their families during engaging and interactive discussions about coping with this disease.

Free Drop-In Grief Support Group

Second Monday of Each Month, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Doctors Community Hospital

8118 Good Luck Road

Critical Care Conference Room, 2nd Floor

Lanham, MD 20706

301-808-5671

This group provides supportive listening, sharing and psycho-educational resources to grieving.

Free Post-Bariatric Surgery Support Group

Second Friday of Each Month, 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Doctors Community Hospital

8100 Good Luck Road

North Building, 5th Floor

Lanham, MD 20706

240-965-4405 | DCHweightloss.org

Meet other post-bariatric surgery patients while learning and sharing within a compassionate and professional environment.

Free Stroke Support Group

Second Wednesday of Each Month, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Bowie Senior Center

14900 Health Center Drive

Bowie, MD 20716

301-552-8114 | DCHrehab.org

Join stroke survivors and caregivers to explore resources as well as learn about stroke prevention, healthy lifestyles and empowerment strategies.

Free WomenHeart Support Group

Tuesdays: March 27, May 22, September 25 and November 27, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Doctors Community Hospital

8100 Good Luck Road

North Building, 5th Floor, DSE Room

Lanham, MD 20706

301-552-8058 | DCHrehab.org

Join heart disease experts who provide educational information to women while encouraging them to make well-educated and heart-healthy decisions. 

Free Screenings on Mobile Health Clinic

Visit the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) mobile health clinic to receive free screenings (diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure) as well as medication reviews and education.  For updated care locations, call 301-324-4968 or visit DCHweb.org/WOW.  (Most times are 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) 

March 2 – Megamart Supermarket, 1101 University Blvd E, Takoma Park, MD 

March 5 – Shoppes at New Carrollton, 7898 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD

March 6 – Camp Springs Senior Activity Center, 6420 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

March 7 – Beltway Plaza Mall, 6000 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD

March 8 – Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center, 7120 Contee Road, Laurel MD (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

March 9 – Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union, 15201 Hall Road, Bowie, MD

March 12 – Shoppes at New Carrollton, 7898 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD

March 13 – Langley Park Senior Activity Center, 1500 Merrimac Road Hyattsville MD (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

March 14 – Oxon Hill Village Apartments, 2260 Alice Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD

March 15 – Laurel Town Center, 13320 Laurel Bowie Road, Laurel, MD 

March 19 – Shoppes at New Carrollton, 7898 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD

March 20 – John E. Howard Senior Activity Center, 4400 Shell Street, Capitol Heights, MD (9 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

March 21 – Powder Mill Village Apartments, 3625 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD

March 22 – Laurel Town Center, 13320 Laurel Bowie Road, Laurel, MD 

March 26 – St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, 410 Addison Road South, Capitol Heights, MD  (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

March 27 – City of Glenarden Nutrition Center James R. Cousins, Jr. Municipal Center, 8600 Glenarden Parkway, Glenarden, MD 

March 28 – Beltway Plaza Mall, 6000 Greenbelt Road, Greenbelt, MD

March 29 – Harmony Hall, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, MD

March 30 – Shops at Iverson, 3737 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD

###

Doctors Community Health System is a network of medical and surgical services provided throughout Prince George’s County and in Anne Arundel County.  At the heart of this network is its flagship – Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, Maryland.  To complement the hospital’s high-quality and comprehensive services, the system has more than a dozen centers of care in Bowie, Camp Springs, Crofton, District Heights, Hyattsville, Lanham, Largo, Laurel, Riverdale and Temple Hills.  Also, the hospital has been rated as a high-performing facility for heart failure by U.S. News & World Report in 2017-2018 and designated as a primary stroke center by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems.  The system has experienced physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals who specialize in:

Ambulatory Surgery

Breast Health

Diabetes Care

Digestive Disease Care

Emergency Services

Imaging Services

Infusion Care

Orthopedic Services

Primary Care

Radiation Oncology

Rehabilitation Program

Sleep Care

Surgical Services

Transitional Care

Wound Care

For more information, visit DCHweb.org or call 301-DCH-4YOU (301-324-4968). 

Tree pruning workshop

Tree pruning workshop
Learn how to prune trees in your yard, or how you can help take care of Mount Rainier's street trees!

Workshop will be led by Barry Stahl, tree commissioner and former National Park Service horticulturalist

Saturday, March 3, 2018

1:00 -- 3:00 pm

Meet at the Waterhole, 4004 34th St. Proceed to Bunker Hill & 35th St.

Weather looks sunny and mild but breezy -- please dress appropriately.

For more information, write to trees@20712.org

The Allison Street Levee is on the agenda tonight

Mount Rainier has a number of events today, Tuesday, February 27, 2018. Each event is important, and it is unfortunate that a few today will be going on at the same time. It is not important as to why this is happening, but it is important to decide which one you will attend.

Today, Councilmember Celia Celina R. Benitez will be hosting the Dreamers (25 of them) walking from New York to the Nation's Capitol "The Walk to stay home." Many of our residents are supporting this walk with places to sleep, food, and SUPPORT. We are not sure what time they will be arriving today, but everyone is asked to make them feel welcome. Time estimates are 6-7:00 p.m. estimated time of arrival in Mount Rainier. Between 7-9pmthey will be placed with the families that will be providing sleeping accommodations. Then on February 28, 2018, at 7 a.m.they will meet a designated meeting point and will leave on their walk to the District at 8 a.m. along route 1 (Rhode Island Avenue).

At 7:00 p.m. at the Mount Rainier Nature Center, Prince George's County (Mr. Dwight Joseph and his team) will be presenting an update on the Allison Street Levee. This is a critical meeting for residents of Mount Rainier, Brentwood, and North Brentwood. The Levee will be renovated and brought up to the standards of the new FEMA codes. The project is expected to take up two years. The work WILL have an impact on Mount Rainier residents. The work will severely impact Thomas Stone Elementary School and the student, faculty, and administrators who work there.

THIS MEETING IS VITAL, and YOU need to be in attendance. The 34th Street bridge near Queenstown Apartments will be partially closed with one-way traffic for about two years. Trees will be removed from along the levee. Arundel Road will be upgraded and changed (narrowed and the slip turn will be removed) as part of this project. Depending on the work, some residents may be required or STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to purchase flood insurance (right now, the thought is that it will not be mandatory). Traffic will be re-routed as the work progresses.

In short, inquiring minds should be at this meeting to learn about the impact this infrastructure project is going to have on the quality of life in Mount Rainier.

Following this meeting. the project team for the Allison Street flood control project will do al site walkthrough to mark trees for preservation and removal. They will conduct the walkthrough on/at Tuesday, March 6th at 7:30 a.m. starting at the Mount Rainier Nature/Recreation Center, 4701 31st Pl, Mt Rainier, MD 20712

A special meeting of the Mayor and Council has been called for 8:00 p.m. at Joe's Movement Emporium to receive a presentation about the potential renovation of the Kaywood Theater.

As some of you know, I have a great interest in this project and for years talked about the value, the revitalization of the Kaywood Theater would be to Mount Rainier. A group of artists have been working on this project for the past several months and are ready to share their vision about how working with the City can make the Kaywood Theater an artistic and vital part of our community -- again.

This is an important meeting, but so is the levee renovation and discussion and I will be attending the Levee meeting. If you are closer to the downtown area, I recommend that you attend the Kaywood Presentation.

IF, you live on or near Arundel Road, in Queenstown Apartments, Arundel Apartments, Rainier Manor, or have a business in or near Queens Chapel Road, YOU SHOULD ATTEND the meeting at the Nature Center with the County presenters so that you can hear first-hand what is happening to the Levee, and the potential impact it will have on you for the next two years.

Hopefully, this meeting will be recorded and later televised on our cable channel, but I am not sure that it will be since the Kaywood Presentation should also be recorded and televised. 

University of Maryland Capital Region Health OPERATES Senior Center!

The Senior Health Center in Brentwood is still in operation. Here are the facts about the Senior Center:

OFFICIAL NAME: Rachel H. Pemberton Senior Health Center  

ADDRESS:  3601 Taylor Street, Suite 108, Brentwood, MD 20722 (Distance from Mount Rainier: 0.5 mi)

HOURS OF OPERATION: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

PHONE NUMBER: 301-927-4987

The Rachel H. Pemberton Senior Health Center is a unique, community-based healthcare facility where residents of Prince George’s County, who are 55 years or better, can receive comprehensive health care. It is operated under the medical direction of a board-certified, internal medicine practitioner, who specializes in geriatric medicine.

Our Care Approach

The senior center has experienced staff to include: a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, social worker and office manager. The team is devoted to treating patients with respect and compassion while paying special attention to the concerns and medical issues of older populations.

Our Services

Services provided by the Rachel H. Pemberton Senior Health Center are designed to meet the needs of an aging population in a comfortable and safe environment. Staff involves patients and families in the healthcare process emphasizing education, prevention, and wellness.

Services Include the Following:

• Blood and Urine Testing

• Case Management

• Complete Physical Examinations

• Diabetic Screenings and Treatment

• Early Dementia Screening

• EKG’s, PAP and Rectal Examinations

• Geriatric Assessments

• Hypertensive Screenings and Treatment

• Primary Medical Care

• Preventive Care

• Referrals

• Tuberculosis (TB), Pneumonia and Influenza (Flu) Vaccinations

The senior center accepts all major insurances, including Medicare and Medicaid.

PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE to learn more about the Senior Health Center and the changes that have ALREADY OCCURRED!

https://umcapitalregion.org/location/um-senior-health-center/

Remembering Prisoners Aid Association of MD, Inc. (PAA)

Nneka Barnes, I thought about you and our long drives home from Prisoners Aid Association of MD, Inc. while listening to this song this morning from work so many years ago.

That WOW album kept us going many a days and nights while working with and praying for ex-offenders, their children, and families. We wore that album out, and it kept ME sane. So much misery. So much pain.. but so much joy and satisfaction from the work. OUR results were fantastic, and many of our clients are still in touch with me today.

Nneka Barnes, we had an awesome staff, Michael Brown, Aaron Barnett, Lasharon Loney, David Kressin, and so many more. THANK YOU to God and to the people He surrounded us with to help so many of those in need.

I will always think of Baltimore, MD as the City of services for those in need (even with all of the experiments that are done on unsuspecting people for the money). I will also NEVER forget watching first-hand the drug epidemic ravishing the City's Black inhabitants. I will always remember the rampant AIDS/HIV epidemic and the victims that it left in its wake.

Through all of that, the STAFF of Prisoners Aid Association of MD, Inc. (PAA) ran an emergency shelter for men and women; transitional housing, and eighty-five (85) Shelter Plus Care home throughout the Baltimore area with a recidivism rate of less than seven (7) percent. At our peak, we were serving more than 2,000 clients a year.

When I look back, I wonder how did we do all of what we did with so little.

Remember the eighteen wheeler trucks packed with toys, clothes, coats and many other gifts for the community that we distributed on Christmas Eve EVERY year to make sure that our families were WELL taken care of as well as the ENTIRE neighborhood! I made all six grandchildren work with us until twelve o'clock midnight handing out gifts, fruit, and other goodies.

Do not forget the annual award ceremonies.

ONLY God could have ordered our steps to accomplish what we did over the years.

Thank you all for the memories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3FXgRHOXfE

SENIOR HEALTH CENTER IS for SENIOR in Prince George's County!

Let me be real clear, SENIORS living in Prince George's County are invited to use the SENIOR HEALTH CENTER. The Center is located in Brentwood, MD and sits between Mount Rainier and North Brentwood. It has serviced senior from across Prince George's County but was created with those three municipalities in mind. 

Betterment for United Seniors (BUS) led by Cora B. Woods and Neighborhoods United Project (NUP) worked together to create this resource so that senior did not have to rely on Prince George's County Hospital's emergency room. It has been around for almost 40 years. Throughout the past week, all I have heard is that SENIORS DID NOT KNOW that this service existed for them! IT DOES. WE NEED TO KEEP IT! It is a part of the County's health care system. It used to be a part of Dominion Health Care. It is now part of the University of Maryland Health Care System. JOIN this SHCC team and learn more as we work to keep the Senior Health Care Center open and make it the VITAL RESOURCE in our community that it should be!

Senior Health Center Meeting RESULTS 2/16/2018

WOW! What an awesome meeting today with the newly formed Senior Health Center Committee. The meeting was held at IHOP and about twelve women showed up. Here are the action items that came out of the meeting (Ophelia Baxter will be providing more accurate information and details later on):

1. The next meeting of the SHCCC will be on March 26, 2018, 9:00 a.m. at IHOP on Bladensburg Road, Colmar Manor, MD

2. Each person attending the March 26, 2018, meeting is asked to bring one or more seniors with them to the meeting.

3. Today's attendees are to call other seniors and invite them to support our efforts to keep the Senior Health Center open and to start USING IT.

4. The newly formed SHCC will plan and host a health fair at the Senior Health Center to re-introduce the community to the Senior Health Center and show support for keeping it open.

5. The current administration (including staff and elected officials) will be invited to attend the March 26, 2018, meeting.

6. So that the SHCC can get the momentum and tracking that it needs to make the senior health center a viable part of our community, the SHCC will meet at 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Monday of every month until further notice. EVERYONE is invited to join this movement.

7. Flyers will be developed and distributed throughout the neighborhoods (Brentwood, North Brentwood, and Mount Rainier.)

8. Brentwood, North Brentwood, and Mount Rainier will carry articles in their newsletters about the Senior Health Center.

9. Posters will be created and put up in public spaces to create an awareness about the Senior Health Center.

10. Public notices will be carried on our cable channels, websites, listserves, etc making residents aware of the services at the Senior Health Center

SHCC needs YOU to help keep this community resource in our COMMUNITY! Join us today.

NOTE 1: Public services (COUNTY and STATE) are limited in the three town area, and IF THEY allow the SENIOR HEALTH CENTER to die and move away, residents in our area will have ONLY LIMITED RECREATIONAL SERVICES provided to us in this area.

NOTE 2: DID you know that they have pretty much closed the Brentwood Post Office? As a result of moving distribution to the Riverdale office, Brentwood and North Brentwood have none of the services that they used to have. Yes, the P.O. Boxes are still there, but the sense of community is being destroyed.

NOTE 3: IF WE say nothing and do nothing the Senior Health Center will be gone and no one will know that it was leaving until it was too late. LET'S ACT NOW!

Jimmy Tarlau, Diana Fennell, Victor Ramirez, C.Anthony Muse, Malcolm Augustine, Pamela Boozer-Strother, Candace Bacchus Hollingsworth, WE need your support on this effort NOW, and in the foreseeable future.

Many of the seniors that I have spoken with do not know that this service is there and available to them. WE NEED to get the word out.

SAVE OUR SENIOR HEALTH CENTER (SOSHC)

It was not a special reunion today, but it seemed like it. LOL

I went in to get my eye injection and on the way out I hear someone calling my name. I turn around to see who it was, and it was Ernelle Little from my long ago past. Then I go to IHOP to have breakfast while the pain medicine was still working, and walk into the seating area, and I hear my name again. It was Hazel Blakey, another name from my long ago past. We were all employees of the National Education Association (NEA) more than twenty (20) years ago. It was great catching up with both of them.

Now, I am home and smiling because I have already had a great day, and I can and will deal with the pain in my eye. This eye issue is not just unique to me, but a LOT of seniors are having eye issues. Aging -- wow -- somebody should have told us.

Having said that, I have been thinking about seniors and health care in my area -- Mount Rainier, Brentwood, and North Brentwood. Years ago, my mother along with many others fought to have a senior health care center in our area. That senior health care center is slowly dying out because people in the area have forgotten about it or never knew about it. In speaking with the current administration, I am appalled at what has happened and is happening to the senior health care center.

To that end, I had a conference call on Friday with the administration and they want to keep the Senior Health Center open. I NEED a senior core group to help be the driving force for keeping the Senior Health Center open by determining core services and programs that are NEEDED in our area.

If you are 50 or older, YOU HAVE A VESTED INTEREST in keeping this Senior Health Center open.

If you have limited health insurance and need medical care, you need this Senior Health Center open.

If you have medical conditions that require care, but not hospitalization, the Senior Health Center is the place for you AND it is right here in OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

It was created FOR YOU! It CATERS to seniors.

IF YOU LIVE in the Mount Rainier, Brentwood and North Brentwood area, PLEASE PLEASE email me at mayormiles@gmail.com. IF YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS GROUP, email me ASAP since I want to hold the first meeting of the group on FRIDAY, February 16, 2018.  

YOU should KNOW YOUR School Board Representative!

For the past four (4) years, District 3 schools have NOT been represented on the Prince George's County School Board. No, that does not mean that we did not elect someone to represent us and our schools, it means that the person elected DID NOT REPRESENT US!

Other than the person's name, our school personnel has not seen our representative in our schools. Our parents have not seen our representative in our neighborhoods at PTA/PSO or other community meetings.

Since Amber Waller. who represented District 3 schools, left that office, we have been without REPRESENTATION.

I was giving serious thought to running for this position. I had discussions with Amber Waller about again running for this position. She and I both decided not to take on this task and to serve where we are currently.

I was approached by Pamela Boozer-Strother to discuss her running for this position. I told her that my support would be dependent upon Amber Waller's decision. Amber Waller has said no.

I believe that Pamela Boozer-Strother will represent our area. I believe that she has the desire, the skills and the time to meet with the community, the schools, and with other elected leaders to bring needed resources to our schools. I have committed to Pamela Boozer-Strother that I will work closely with her to make sure that District 3 schools, particularly the two in Mount Rainier, the ones in Hyattsville (Hyattsville Middle) and West Hyattsville (North Western High) are no longer neglected because of the lack of representation.

Pamela Boozer-Strother has committed to me that she is ready to represent us. I urge you, encourage you, and ASK you to support this candidate for the District 3 School District.

She needs contributions, volunteers, and yes endorsements and PHYSICAL SUPPORT to win this campaign.

I AM IN! ARE YOU?

http://www.pamelaboozer-strother.com/

CB-4-2018, the Fair Elections Bill!

As with the rest of the NATION, if you do not have the CASH, YOU are not eligible to run for elected office -- municipal, county, state or federal.  MONEY really does talk, and if you do not have any, YOU have no "real" say in your government on any level.

Good, qualified, honest, broke/ middle-class people can't afford to run for office, and most are disgusted with those in office.  Well, once again, someone is sticking their necks out to change the rules and give the power back to the PEOPLE.    Check out the following and then contact your COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES.

FYI

From: Sierra Club - Prince George's County Group <janis.oppelt@mdsierra.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 3, 2018 7:47 AM

Last Tuesday, County Councilwoman Mary Lehman introduced the Fair Elections Bill, which would reduce the power of big money in county elections and give everyday people a stronger voice in their local democracy. The bill (CB-4-2018) would enable qualifying citizens to run for County Council and County Executive on the strength of their ideas, supported by small donations from ordinary people and matching funds from a Fair Election Fund.

How the program works 
The Fair Election Fund allows qualified candidates to win elected office without accepting large or corporate contributions to fund their campaigns. Participating candidates agree to only accept small contributions from everyday residents.

For example, a participating candidate may not accept contributions of more than $150 per individual during a 4-year election cycle; may not accept private contributions from a group or organization, including a political action committee, corporation, labor organization, or State or local central committee of a political party; or be a member of a slate.

To demonstrate viability, a candidate must collect a specified amount of funding through small donations from County residents. For example, a candidate for County Council running in a District must collect from County residents at least 150 qualifying contributions totaling $7,500. A candidate for an At-Large County Council seat would have to collect from County residents at least 250 qualifying contributions totaling $15,000, and for County Executive at least 500 qualifying contributions totaling $40,000.

Once candidate proves they have significant community support, the small donations to their campaign are amplified with matching funds through the Fair Elections Fund. The smallest contributions are matched at the highest rate. For example, the first $25 of each qualifying contribution is matched at a ratio of 7 to 1, for the next $50 at a ratio of 5 to 1, and for the next $75 at a ratio of 2 to 1. There's a cap on the total public funding for candidates, depending on the race, and unspent funds at the end of the campaign must be returned.

Implementation and oversight 
The Maryland State Board of Elections would administer and enforce the public campaign financing system. The program would regulate certain campaign finance activity of participating qualifying candidates and provide penalties for violations. The program is estimated to cost about $1.50 per capita per year -- less than a cup of coffee -- to allow candidates to remain true and accountable to their community base and to compete effectively against candidates supported by large donors and corporate special interests.

The goal is to fully fund the program for the 2022 elections to allow candidates to run free of big money and encourage small-donor participation in local elections.But to get there, we need the support of more Council members to pass CB-4-2018, the Fair Elections Bill!

Please contact your County Council member today! 

Tell him/her to support the Fair Elections Bill for Prince George's County (CB-4-2018) that will make it possible for everyday Prince Georgians who qualify to wage a viable campaign without the influence of large donors! 

District 1: Councilwoman Mary Lehman* (malehman@co.pg.md.us,301-952-3887)
District 2: Councilwoman Deni Taveras* (dltaveras@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-4436)
District 3: Councilwoman Danielle Glaros, Chair (dmglaros@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-3060)
District 4: Councilman Todd Turner, Vice-Chair (tmturner@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-3094)
District 5: Councilwoman Andrea Harrison (councildistrict5@co.pg.md.us, 301-982-3864)
District 6: Councilman Derrick Leon Davis (councildistrict6@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-3426)
District 7: Councilwoman Karen Toles (krtoles@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-3690)
District 8: Councilman Obie Patterson* (opatterson@co.pg.md.us,301-952-3860)
District 9: Councilman Mel Franklin* (mfranklin@co.pg.md.us, 301-952-3820)
*A sponsor or co-sponsor of the bill

Mailing address: 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20744 

MOUNT RAINIER DAY, MAY 19,2018 *all day long)

Mount Rainier Day -- FREE FAMILY EVENT

GOT an act that you think should be in this year's parade? Contact Shantey Dabney and get the details. The parade will start at 10:00 am; the festival will start at 10:00 and end at 6:00 p.m.

VENDORS are invited to contact Shantey Dabney at 301-985-6585.

VOLUNTEERS are needed to serve on the Mount Rainier Day Committee and are encouraged to CONTACT Ophelia Baxter, Shantey Dabney or send an email to mayormiles@gmail.com. YOU are needed, and you will be glad that you joined this vibrant committee.

The Mount Rainier Day Committee is working to make this Mount Rainier Day the largest and most successful one ever. YOU ASKED for it, and THE COMMITTEE plans on DELIVERING.

SO, MARK YOUR CALENDARS, CALL YOUR NEIGHBORS, GET IN TOUCH WITH THOSE HOMIES THAT MOVED AWAY, and MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF YOU ARE THERE MAY 19, 2018 -- the third SATURDAY in May to join in on the FUN!

See you there!