PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS! -- 2-hour Delayed Opening

 PARENTS! GUARDIANS! ALERT! NOTICE!

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

2-Hour Weather Delay Thursday, December 15 (Code Orange)
for Thursday, December 15, all schools and offices will open two hours late.

Emergency personnel must report to work on time. A liberal leave policy is in effect for non-emergency personnel. This code status will be re-evaluated at 6:30 a.m.

There will be no work-study transportation. (Those students should not report to school.)

There will be no half-day Early Childhood Center (ECC), half-day Special Education Programs, or half-day PreK.

Any other school program requiring transportation prior to 12 noon will NOT have transportation, including Howard B. Owens Science Center,JA Finance Park, and William S. Schmidt Center (Camp Schmidt)

All field trips will be canceled.

Food Services will offer breakfast.

Thanksgiving saw a community making it HAPPEN!

The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) was once again graced by donations from the Honorable Council Chair Calving Hawkins and Former Mayor Walter James represent the Prince George's County Office of Community Relations as they donated turkeys and other food items to make sure Mount Rainier's residents enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Ms. Carolyn Samuel-King,(Calomiris YMCA), not featured here, also made major donations to The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) to ensure Thanksgiving meals were on as many tables in Mount Rainier as possible but also delivered new coats for distribution to the women that needed them.

Lyons Bakery and Mount Rainier's own Chuck's Liquors showed up and showed out with dinner rolls for all one hundred and fifty-five Thanksgiving bags that were distributed.  The dinner rolls were the rave of most of Thanksgiving. dinner tables in Mount Rainier.

And, yes, neighbors and friends contributed to the thankfulness of the season by knitting and donating scars and hats, and socks to participants of The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM)!

 

TFPM Request for DONATIONS of NEW socks, scarves, and hats

 Someone thinking about giving to The Front Porch Ministries' new socks, scarves, and glove project asked, "why not just do gently used instead of new?"

Thank God I had thought about that before taking it on and posting. Here is what I was thinking then and what I am thinking now.

1. Giving something old, used (gently or not), or unwanted is how we give to the poor and less fortunate, but we expect the opposite.

2. A real gift to someone often means you genuinely care and want to give them your best.

3. Many of us will receive gifts this holiday season, and most of us will receive new items.

4. I saw the faces of the mothers and the faces of the children who watched their mothers take their new coats out of the bags, take the tags off, and put on their new coats.

5. New socks, new scarves, and new gloves cost, but they do not have to be expensive.

6. Lots of neighbors, including Kathleen Osore, knit and have lots of items these items that they "might" consider donating to TFPM.

7. Mount Rainier has seamstresses who "might" consider making and donating socks, scarves, or gloves to TFPM.

8. The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) wants the best for its participants, and this is an opportunity to show them how special they are.

I have many more reasons for asking for new items, but these are at the top of my list.

We are our brother's keepers; if we are not, we ought to be, for we are being kept every day through grace and mercy, and many of us are only one paycheck away from being in their shoes.

I also know that many of us, although keeping it to ourselves, need many of the things offered by The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM), but pride keeps us away. Look beyond what people will think and come participate in a place where there are no judgments, only a group of men and women who are right where you are OR HAVE BEEN THERE!

At The Front Porch Ministries, it is a holiday season every week!

 

200 EW SOCKS, SCARVES, and GLOVES NEEDED at The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM)

 The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) wants you to remember that donations are always welcome and that Tuesday, November 29, 2022, is National Giving Tuesday! Donations are being accepted now!

A Christmas Miracle at The Front Porch Ministries

 We were so tired and so happy last night that I went to bed without posting anything!

We were sad, scared, and almost desperate that we would not have enough turkeys to make sure that everyone who needed one would get one.

We sent out emails and texts and made phone calls because desperation was setting in.

We ran out of turkeys THREE TIMES. Then we got a really frightening call -- we will not be delivering you any turkeys today because we ran out.

Then we prayed! Yep, we should have done that first, but the human was running things, and like in most situations, sincere and real prayer came last!

Did the miracle happen? Yes, it did. The call came in, and the truck showed up first with twenty-five, then with twenty-five more! Oh, that was not enough because fourteen of our seniors that participate at The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) had yet to receive their red turkey bag! Yep, twenty-five more turkeys came! -- yes, we were tired, but we went to bed happy around 7:00 pm.

Thankful. Happy. Grateful. Thrilled, and so much more. We started celebrating -- no chocolate wine, but with some Stella Rosa (black label, Bacardi rum (brown), and Seagram gin (peach flavored) -- I tried the Stella Rosa -- good, but it was no chocolate wine.

We have to take care of our fourteen seniors today, and our goal will be reached.

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR BLESSING OUR (Patricia, Dianne, Max, Deb, Johnathan, and Toni) EFFORTS, and OUR DONORS, who stepped up and bailed us OUT! We are eternally grateful that NO ONE, not a SINGLE SOUL, was turned down, even those who just dropped by and those who called or inboxed me on Facebook. ALL will have a turkey on their table for THANKSGIVING.

Now, for the remainder of the blessing, TFPM also received late a box of about ten frozen chickens that should be thawed out by now. I'll make sure to let you know later, and I'll make sure to post when they're available.

(NOTE: If you received a turkey, please do not come to pick up a chicken, they WILL be given to someone who missed out on the turkeys or prefers a smaller meat for Thanksgiving Dinner!

NOTE: Not sure what is out there now, but TFPM received a ton of different flavored yogurts. Please come by and pick up a box until they are gone. At least two said it felt like Christmas had arrived, and one of the mothers' children thanked me for getting her mother a present. TOTALLY HEARTWARMING! Thank you to those who donated. Also, know that we had so many scarves and socks that we could help many more women than we had planned.

NOTE: The women received their coats, scarves, and socks. They were extremely thankful, and one mother's child personally thanked me for giving her mother a present! Thank you to the donors for this project. Some of the scarves were knitted by a Mount Rainier resident.

LAST NOTE: Thanks to another donor, we could give out toilet paper, paper towels, door openers, and a bottle of hand sanitizer (Only a few, but they went to people who were grateful to receive them.

BOTTOMLINE:  One hundred fifty-five turkeys with sides were distributed by The Front Porch Ministries, along with everything else listed above.  

District 24 Feed the Homeless -- Chris Stevenson

 During this holiday season, I am always happy to know that our elected leaders are not just around making speeches and promises but working to help community members. Chris Stevenson of District 24 is doing just that -- giving back. Check out the flyer below and mark your calendar.

 

County Executive Alsobrooks for Enforcing the CURFEW!

It is incredible to me that there are parents out there blaming the government for their children being out on the STREETS after 10:00 p.m. We are talking about teenagers seventeen (17) and under.

Their complaint, the government is not providing their children with anything to do! REALLY! I mean, really, the government is supposed to do that.

I guess the teachers are still expected to raise their children, teach them good manners, accountability, responsibility, integrity, respect, and all of the other things that many of us adults were taught at HOME by our PARENTS! Are these parents talking about straight-A students? Do these parents NOT HAVE CURFEWS for their children? If not, why not?

If parents had some curfews and SOME CONTROL over their children, the government would not have to impose curfews! I wonder how many of their children participate in the government's recreation programs available to them? How about the parents' participation in those available recreation programs?

Sorry, if you refuse to parent those children you brought into this world, and the government has to step in and assist you, then maybe, just maybe, you should step back into your role of parenting and setting curfews for your OWN children. If the streetlights come on, and your child or children are NOT at home, do you know where they are, what they are "supposed" to be doing, AND WHEN DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO BE IN YOUR HOUSE?

That is not a government job. That is a parenting job! And, no, do not give me that crap that you can't discipline your child because the government (law) won't let you! The law WON'T let you ABUSE your child or children. Get a copy of the law and read it. Stop parroting folklore.

Where is the village? Where are the aunts and uncles, neighbors, ministers/churches, etc., and yes, where are the parents when their underage teens are out and about? ANY ACCOUNTABILITY on the parents?

THANK YOU, COUNTY EXECUTIVE ALSOBROOKS, for stepping up, taking the heat, and TAKING ACTION!

ALERT! Planning for the Holiday Season -- Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets

 To avoid duplication for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets this year, the City of Mount Rainier will provide baskets for both schools during the holidays. If your child or children attend either of the Mount Rainier schools, please work with your school to ensure that your family receives Thanksgiving baskets.

The Front Porch Ministries will provide Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets to TFPM participants based on how much food is received for distribution. At this moment, TFPM is anticipating sufficient turkeys or chickens to cover the large number of participants in TFPM.

In a few weeks, additional information will be provided. As always, no names, addresses, telephone numbers, or other personal information will be gathered. As always, all food items, including turkeys or other meats, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is a pleasure serving TFPM participants, and we are working now to make sure that your holidays are festive and your tables are filled with the holidays' traditional foods.

Please join The Front Porch Ministries Facebook page to ensure receipt of notifications regarding the Thanksgiving baskets distribution as well as future food distributions.

#FormerMayorMalindaMiles

#mountrainiermaryland

#mayormiles

#malindamiles

You may also click on the link below:

http://themayorsspot.blogspot.com/

The School Supplies for 2022-2023 School Year HAVE BEEN DELIVERED!

 GOOD MORNING! Today is the day to get our school supplies to our school, and we got it DONE.

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to this very successful collection of school supplies for teachers and students!

Principal Shawn Hintz and Principal Jennifer Roberts Till, best wishes for an incredible school year for you, your teachers, students, and administrative and custodial staff.

Please know that the residents and businesses of Mount Rainier have your backs and stand ready to help when we can to make your school year safe and a good experience.

FINAL WEEK TO DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Our two local schools are in need of YOUR HELP with school supplies AGAIN this year.

As you know, not only do our teachers provide education to our students, but often meet many of their daily needs such as fresh clothing, especially underwear for kindergarteners through third grade, but coats, hats, gloves, and other necessities.

Over the past twenty (20) plus years, I have personally worked with the principals of Mount Rainier Elementary and Thomas Stone Elementary to meet their needs.  The needs are greater this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents are struggling to get their children ready for school, and the increased pricing of clothing, school supplies, food, and rent has made it very difficult for parents who have been laid off from work, struck with COVID-19, or otherwise make less than sufficient income to meet their ever-increasing needs.

Quite a few school supplies have been collected, but more are needed and would be greatly appreciated.

ITEMS STILL NEEDED INCLUDE

Book bags

Composition notebooks

Clorox wipes

Masks

Hand Sanitizers 

Facial tissues

Scissors for children and teachers

Markers

Construction paper

Copier paper

Rulers

Folders

Pens and Pencils

Girls' and boys' underwear (ages 5 through 9)

PLEASE DELIVER DONATIONS TO 4517 30th Street, Mount Rainier, MD 20712;  SUPPLIES WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE SCHOOLS, AUGUST 26, 2022!

Welcome to The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM)

 The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) has been serving the Mount Rainier community and beyond since March 26, 2020.  The distributions from The Front Porch Ministries come from a wide variety of donors --

Partnership with the Calomaris YMCA

Partnership with Prince George''s Count Community Relations

Partnership with County Council Chair Calvin Hawkins

Partnership with Food Rescue

Partnership with various distributors whose names are not included

The Mayor of Somerset, MD

Members of the Mount Rainier Community

Friends and family in the area and outside of the area

TFPM has provided a variety of foods, school supplies, COVID-19 testing kits, masks, hand sanitizers, coats, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, flowers, children and adult diapers, formula, and other vital support to families regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sexual preference, or citizenship status.

Services are primarily provided on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but are available throughout the week thanks to donations of refrigerators by neighbors, friends, and the Carpenters Union.

You can visit The Front Porch Ministries at The Front Porch Ministries | Facebook.

The Front Porch Ministries is open and accepting donations. Please consider donating. We do not accept used clothing of any kind. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

YOUR VOTE IS NEEDED in NOVEMBER!

 November General Election is coming! Will you make these two men two of your voting choices, PLEASE? Mark your calendars, and remember to VOTE!

This link will take you to a website that provides step-by-step voting instructions and other information: https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/2022/index.html

Be Careful Out There TODAY -- Extreme HOT WEATHER!

 Yesterday at The Front Porch Ministries was another successful and wonderful day. Thank you to all that shared in it. There are a few vegetable boxes left for pick up.

I will have lunches and breakfasts later today -- around 2:45 p.m. Please come by and help yourself.

Thank you to Maxime Magloire for his help yesterday. Prayers are needed for Joan Bundy and Dianne Dunmore, two of our volunteers.

BE MINDFUL of the heat today! The heat index could reach 105 today. A Heat Advisory goes into effect between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

https://wtop.com/.../dangerous-heat-thunderstorms-and.../

 

PARTNER with The Front Porch Ministries

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES -- DONATIONS NEEDED ASAP -- THANK YOU!

The Front Porch Ministries will be collecting and distributing school supplies to our two elementary schools again this year!  Donations or PARTNERSHIPS, contact Malinda Miles at mayormiles@gmail.com

With OUR SCHOOL YEAR JUST AROUND THE CORNER, Office Depot & OfficeMax are offering Up to 60% Off School Supplies + 5% cash back!

Please consider picking up some of these school items while they are on sale:

School Supplies for Kindergarteners Through 2nd Graders

The best school supplies for kindergarten through 2nd graders revolve around tactile, arts-focused activities.

Lots of crayons, markers, colorful construction paper, and other items

Backpacks so your child can transport their supplies.

School Supplies for 3rd Graders

School supplies for 3rd graders are somewhat similar to those needed for younger children, with a shift to accommodate the more advanced curricula. Expect more emphasis to be placed on index cards and pens, with slightly less emphasis on art supplies.

A list of common elementary school supplies necessary for children in this grade includes:

Notebook or loose-leaf paper (wide ruled)

Backpacks (small enough to fit your child)

Index cards

Erasers

Colored pencils

Different colored folders for different subjects

No. 2 pencils

Pencil case

Glue sticks

Pencil grips

Pencil sharpeners

School Supplies for 4th Graders

School supplies for 4th graders are even more academically focused than those for 3rd graders. Expect only to shop for a limited number of art supplies and look for more tools that might help your child with organization, like 3-ring binders and highlighters.

A list of common elementary school supplies necessary for 4th grades includes:

Large 3-ring binder

Pens (black, red, or blue)

Mechanical pencils

Pencil top erasers

Highlighters

Crayons

Colored pencils

Thin markers

Spiral bound notebook

School Supplies for 5th Graders

An elementary school supply list for this grade differs from the list of materials for younger students, such as the list of school supplies for 3rd graders or 2nd graders. By 5th grade, children are covering more advanced topics and preparing for middle school and will therefore need the supplies to match. Expect to add materials like calculators, protractors, and graph paper.

A list of common school supplies for 5th graders includes:

Book covers

Calendar or planner

Combination lock (if your child has started using a locker)

Graph paper

Notebook or loose-leaf paper (usually wide ruled)

Calculator

Highlighters

No. 2 pencils or mechanical pencils

Rulers

Subject dividers

Three-hole punch

Three-ring binder

White-out

REMEMBER also, our teachers frequently need supplies for the classroom, and can use many of the same items, but also need:

Hand sanitizers

Wipes

Tissue

Scissors

Rulers

Calendars

Pencil sharpeners

Glue/glue sticks

Sticky notes

Plastic clothes pins

Paper clips

Folders

Pens

Pencils

Notebooks

Stickies -- lots of stickies

Planners

Poster boards

Chalk

Index cards

Play money (dollars and coins)

...and other classroom aids.

ANY and ALL of these items can be delivered to The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM) for equal distribution to the two schools.

GET Personalized Voting Information

 Sill looking for unbiased voting information?

Check out this site. Type in your address, and get a wealth of information about today's primary!

Click on or copy and paste this link into your browser.

​​VOTE411



WOMEN AND MEN OF MARYLAND, IT IS ELECTION DAY!

GOOD MORNING, MARYLAND, PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY FOR SURE, AND MOUNT RAINIER IN PARTICULAR!

PRIMARY DAY | JULY 19 2022

Polls on this Maryland Primary Election Day will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here's what you need to know.

After months of campaigning, a three-week delay due to a court fight over redistricting, and hundreds of thousands of mail-in ballots sent to voters’ mailboxes, primary day in Maryland is finally here.

If you want to vote in person, you can look up your polling place online. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

https://wtop.com/maryland/2022/07/primary-day-is-here-voters-head-to-polls-in-maryland/

VOTE for TONI GEORGE to Represent WARD 2!

 It is ELECTION DAY (ARPIL 25, 2022)WARD 2, and voting is occurring right now at the Mount Rainier Nature Center at 31st Street and Arundel Road. Voting ends today at 8:00 p.m.

Don't know what WARD you are in? Go vote, and the Mount Rainier Election Vote will assist you! NOTE: If you are on the West side of 31st Street, you are probably in Ward 2.

Toni George has a BLOG!

Toni George just shared this link with me.  I did not know that she had a blog about her campaign!  Check it out.

My Mount Rainier - Toni George - Posts | Facebook

COVID has not LEFT the WORLD'S Stage!

 As I have been saying, COVID is on the rise and is alive and well, and we, the public, MUST protect ourselves. You must know that if the administration and its staff are testing positive for COVID on a more frequent basis and reporting it, SOMETHING MUST be going on with COVID, you are not being told.

If COVID is here to stay, we must prepare to cope with it and LIVE to the best of our abilities. A few thoughts about returning to some semblance of normality:

WEAR THE MASK.

WASH YOUR HANDS frequently.

USE YOUR HAND SANITIZER WHEN YOU CAN NOT WASH YOUR HANDS

KEEP YOUR HANDS out of your face because your eyes, nose, and mouth are open transmitters

SOCIAL DISTANCE as much as you can

STAY AT HOME when you can, but don't become a hermit.

AVOID CROWDS like the plaque

HAVE VISITORS but limit the number and spray your home with Lysol or some other disinfectant when they leave.

LIMIT THE NUMBER OF VISITORS in your personal space.

HELP TO BUILD YOUR IMMUNITY to COVID, B6, B12, zinc, elderberry, Vitamin C, and a proper diet that includes vegetables.

Not rocket science, but a healthy body will make a lot of difference and help fight COVID should you contract it. In fact, all of these things will help with the flu and many other illnesses, and they are just common sense, I think.

OF COURSE, YOU have the right to do as you please and what is right for you. HOWEVER, you do not have the right to jeopardize someone else's life. More people than you know have compromised immune systems and are much more likely to contract COVID than those without compromised immune systems.

Here's the latest word from WTOP about COVID and the Biden Administration:

The Biden administration will extend for two weeks the nationwide mask requirement for public transit as it monitors an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

You can get another round of free COVID tests from the government !

 I know that some of you may not have received your first test kits from the Federal Government, and that is okay. You are eligible to place a second order NOW!

Here is the link. Order your test kits TODAY!

Click on or copy and paste this link in your browser and follow the directions"

https://special.usps.com/testkits

 

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Death at any time is hard to cope with, and COVID-19 related deaths seem to be even worse.

If you, a family member, neighbor, or anyone else finds themselves faced with making funeral arrangements for someone who has died of COVID-19 or COVID-19 related causes, there MAY be help for you with the funeral-related costs.

One of the quietest kept secrets in Maryland is that there is money to help residents with COVID-related funeral expenses. If you, a neighbor, family member, friend, or anyone else is struggling with funeral costs from a COVID-related death, PLEASE read this information and act accordingly.

How to Apply

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline

844-684-6333

Hours of Operation:

Monday - Friday

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

Call this dedicated, toll-free phone number to complete your COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application with a FEMA representative. Multilingual services are available.

Call this dedicated, toll-free phone number to complete your COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application with a FEMA representative. Multilingual services are available. Is able to contact you, and you should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the application process on our Funeral Assistance FAQ page.

Funeral Assistance Policy

On June 29, 2021, we amended the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related deaths that occurred in the early months of the pandemic.

MARYLAND received $32,367,85 and has received 7,151, and only awarded 4,812.

Click on or copy and paste the link below to get more information about this law.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_policy_covid-19_funeral_assistance-updated.pdf

After More Than Three Months Election for Ward 2 Vacancy Announced!

After the resignation of former Councilmember Scott Cecil in October 2021, Mount Rainier's Mayor and Council finally posted the Ward 2 vacancy.

However, the notice does not provide information on how interested applicants should apply or any procedures to become a candidate for the Ward 2 vacancy.

If you are anyone you know is interested in representing Ward 2 please reach out to the Board of Elections supervisor, the Honorable Nicole Logan, Ophelia Baxter, Mario Cisnero, or any other member of the Board of Elections. You may get their contact information by calling Mount Rainier City Hall, at 301-985-6585.

Ward 2 deserves full representation on the Mount Rainier City Council and has gone without that representation for more than three (3) months.

Colder Weather is HEADED Our Way AGAIN!

Folks, let's get ready for some more real cold weather over the next few days. Dress in layers if you must go outside.

Senior, it would be best if we hung inside around the warmth and only go out if we must.

Temperatures will plummet today, Thursday, and Friday. A winter storm with snow will follow for the weekend. Here's what to expect.

https://wtop.com/weather-news/2022/01/winter-weather-blitz-snow-subzero-wind-chills-in-dc-area-forecast/

Girl Scout Cookies Anyone?

 Time for Girl Scout Cookies! If you have your annual craving for Girl Scout Cookies, click on this link and place your order now! The cookie will be delivered to you in person, OR THEY WILL BE SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO YOU!

Thank you in advance for helping out the family's rising Girl Scout.

Select (gsdigitalcookie.com)

A Note of THANKS, and Request for Donations

 Good morning. As always, thank you for what you have already done to support The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Because of you, Mount Rainier residents have had a continuing source of food, diapers, coats, PPEs, and school supplies since the beginning of the pandemic. In short, we have been working hard to take care of OUR OWN! Thank you.

It has saddened me greatly to have so many of our young residents contract the COVID virus, a number of them pregnant or with young children who have also gotten the virus -- my family included. Being able to offer some outside support has meant a lot to me, but it has made some residents cry from gratitude.

Some of our seniors have come by to say how amazed they are to express their personal needs and have community members provide their necessities -- not wants, but things they require to have a quality of life, not just a dash.

THANK YOU, and as you have heard me say before, MOUNT RAINIER RESIDENTS ROCK! -- YOU DO, you really do.

Now that the holidays are over, I miss them already, TFPM is open to collecting all donations (no clothes unless we get specific requests -- not including coats, but we have enough coats for now).

There are specific requests for diapers of ALL sizes, with the greatest requests for 4s, 5s, and 6s. There is an ongoing need for adult diapers of all sizes, but more mediums and XL sizes.

With in-person learning back, the schools would also like to receive underwear for pre-k, kindergarten, first through third grade -- boys and girls. This is an ongoing need when school is in session.

Yes, every little bit helps, and I am grateful for your donations. I also appreciate the honesty and integrity exhibited in our community. For the most part, items left on the front porch stay on the front porch until I take them in. THANK YOU! That allows residents to drop things off and pick items up and maintain a little privacy while meeting their needs.

What we do in Mount Rainier is unique and SPECIAL! YEAH, WE ROCK! LOL

Federal testing website launches next week, 4 tests per home

  

ALERT! NOTICE! ALERT! NOTICE!

The federal website where Americans can request free COVID-19 tests 

The federal website where Americans can request free COVID-19 tests will begin accepting orders on Wednesday as the White House looks to address nationwide shortages, but supplies will be limited to just four free tests per home.

https://wtop.com/coronavirus/2022/01/federal-testing-website-launches-next-week-4-tests-per-home/

 

You Are Qualified, AND You Have Time TO FILE!

Just because your emails have been flooded with information about folks running for office in Prince George's County, DO NOT COUNT YOURSELF out if you are interested in running for ANY POSITION IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND! Check out this link for details on how to file!

 Candidate Filing - 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election | Prince George's County, MD (princegeorgescountymd.gov)

It is snowing!

 So, you just love snow!  It is here for the second time in 2022!

Just in case you have not looked outside your window -- YET -- it is snowing, and the ground is already covered.

COVID Protocols, Rules and Regulations for Your Home

 Companies have rules for helping to keep workers safe, and your home should also have safety policies to keep your family members safe.

Our children are required to go to schools for in-person learning and around others who may not practice any of these safety precautions.  In addition, social distancing may not be possible in many of the classrooms, cafeterias, or hallways.  So, help your student protect themselves, you, and other family members by applying these rules in your home.

The CDC has issued guidance, protocols, and regulations for every place of business you can think of, and they have changed their minds on lots of their positions about COVID. However, I have yet to see (and maybe I've missed it) guidance, protocols, and regulations for homes. Homes, where everybody goes at the end of the day or leave early in the morning to get to those businesses.

Isn't that strange? People bring home COVID every day and expose their loved ones, those most vulnerable, and their children. There are no protocols beyond washing your hands, social distance, wearing your mask, and staying home if you can! BBAM. That is it.

After talking with my youngest daughter for about an hour this morning, I came up with the following. Please feel free to modify, but consider posting on your doors at home so those entering know the rules for helping to keep you and your family safe.

Remember to Shovel/Clean Your Sidewalks!

 If you got as much snow as I did yesterday, and you still have not shoveled off your sidewalks, you probably should do it NOW!

I just went outside to take a look-see, and the SNOW IS MELTING and can be swept with a BROOM! I know because I did it -- at least until I got tired and went back inside. (I was waiting for my kids to come by and shovel the snow, but so far, no one showed up.)

If you leave it until tomorrow, it MIGHT be hard to remove since it is going down into the twenties tonight.

It is also a good time to try to clean off your car. If you can't clean it off, sit inside with the heat on, and it will melt. The top will not melt, but the window will, and then you can sweep it off, or at least most of it.

----------------------------------------

FYI -- Received from the City today.

Department of Code Compliance to Inspect Sidewalks on Wednesday, Jan 5

Post Date: 01/04/2022 12:16 PM

The Department of Code Compliance reminds the City of Mount Rainier residents and business owners to clear up sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Residents and business owners are responsible to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks adjacent to their property 24 hours after a snowfall as stated on city ordinance:

It shall be duty of every person in charge or control of any building or parcel of land, located in the city, fronting or abutting on a paved public sidewalk, whether as owner, proprietor, tenant, occupant or otherwise, within twenty-four (24) hours after the ceasing to fall of any snow, sleet or freezing rain, to remove and clear away, or cause to be removed and cleared away, such snow, sleet or freezing rain from such public sidewalk as is in front of or abuts on said building or lot of land. It shall be unlawful to fail, neglect or refuse to comply with this section.

Penalty. Every person who shall neglect or refuse to comply will be fined fifteen dollars ($15.00) for each incident.

To ensure the safety of community members in the City, the team of Code Compliance will be making their rounds through the city on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 starting at 10 a.m. to inspect sidewalks and walkways and serve a reminder to residents and business owners of the snow removal ordinance.

For more information, check this link: Snow Removal 

Free COVID Testing/Vaccinations/Boosters

 Do you still need a COVID vaccine or a booster?  Check out this flyer.

Minimum Wage in DMV Goes UP, WHILE Federal Minimum Wage REMAINS at $7.25

 We have NOT made it to a livable wage yet, but there has been some movement in the DMV. I guess it will take another ten years before CONGRESS figures out that they may be living high on the hog, and paying federal government workers decent wages, but the rest of the world is forced to live off of $7.25 an hour. In other words $15080 a year while paying t $12,000+ in rent or mortgages to have a place to live!

Did I mention the working public must also pay, electricity, gas, water, telephone, and food bills out of the $725?

I am sick and tired of CONGRESS, the senators, and the representatives. $7.25 an hour is ludicrous, and they KNOW IT!

Come New Year’s Day workers earning minimum wage will bring home bigger paychecks as Maryland and Virginia, among other states, up their requirements for salaries.

The following are the new minimum hourly wages, starting Jan. 1:

Virginia — $11

Maryland — $12.50 (for businesses with 15 or more employees)

D.C.’s minimum wage is currently $15.20 an hour.

Virginia’s minimum wage has been gradually moving up from the federally mandated wage: $7.25 an hour, that it was this year. On May 1, Virginia upped the hourly wage to $9.50.

Come New Year’s Day, workers earning minimum wage will bring home bigger paychecks as Maryland and Virginia, among other states, up their requirements for salaries.y may be living high on the hog and paying federal government workers decent wages, but the rest of the world is forced to live off of $7.25 an hour. In other words, $15080 a year while paying t $12,000+ in rent or mortgages to have a place to live!!

Click on or copy and paste this link for the news article:  New minimum wage in Maryland and Virginia on New Year’s Day | WTOP News