february2026_collegepark_web

Local newspaper adds Spanishlanguage news

By JALEN WADE

Starting with the February edition, four pages of College Park Here & Now will be published in Spanish.

The insert, College Park Aquí y Ahora, will feature news, business and human-interest articles from the English-language pages of the newspaper, translated into Spanish by interpreters at the University of Maryland’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

“We want the Spanish-speaking community to be able to read the same news about College Park as those who read the English-language version of

the newspaper every month,”

Sharon O’Malley, College Park Here & Now’s managing editor, said. “So for example, if there’s a city election, we would do a story in English about the city election, and then we would translate it into Spanish so that the Spanish-speaking audience also can have that important information.”

College Park Here & Now’s sister publication, Hyattsville Life & Times, also will feature a fourpage Spanish-language insert, Vida e Historias de Hyattsville Both are part of a pilot project paid for with $8,000 in grants from Prince George’s County

Cómo los estudiantes de la escuela primaria Hollywood recibieron zapatos nuevos

Concejal

Asociación

This issue of College Park Here & Now includes four pages of Spanish-language news, starting on Page 13. The special section, College Park Aquí y Ahora, will continue each month at least through the summer.

Disc golf fan has played for 50 years

By AYLIN AARHUS

For College Park resident Jerry O’Neil, disc golf is more than just a game. It’s a passion of nearly 50 years.

“I just like chucking Frisbees,” O’Neil said. “That’s my big thing. I chuck Frisbees everywhere I go.”

O’Neil, 77, has been playing disc golf since the ’70s, soon after the sport was invented.

In disc golf, players aim to get a disc to hit a target in as few throws as possible. Disc golf targets are metal baskets with chains that hang down from the top. The chains catch discs and slow them down, preventing them from hitting the target and bouncing off.

Players use several kinds of discs, which are slightly smaller than Frisbees and are designed to fly in different ways—some for long distances and others on a curve, for example. Some have thicker

rims, like a traditional Frisbee, and are made to fly steadily but not very fast. Others have thinner, more pointed rims and can fly 50 miles per hour or faster.

O’Neil said to “watch out” for those on the course.

“You can’t catch a pointed Frisbee,” said O’Neil, who refers to the discs as Frisbees even though most discs aren’t Frisbee brand. “It’ll kill you. I mean, you’ll break your nose.”

Disc golf players toss their discs into multiple baskets as they make their way around a course. Like traditional golf, the fewer strokes it takes to land a disc in a basket, the better the player’s score. The player with the fewest strokes—or throws—at the end of the round or tournament wins.

O’Neil is a Boston native who has lived in College Park for most of his life. He began tossing Frisbees soon after he moved to Maryland in the 1970s.

Valentine’s

Councilmember Alan Hew knows a lot about policing, P.10

College Park Here & Now introduces Spanishlanguage news, P.13

Por JALEN WADE

A partir de la edición de febrero, cuatro páginas de College Park Here & Now se publicarán en español.

El suplemento “Aquí y Ahora College Park” incluirá noticias, artículos sobre negocios y temas de interés originalmente escritos en inglés, los cuales serán traducidos al español por traductores del Departamento de Español y Portugués de la Universidad de Maryland.

“Queremos que la comunidad hispanohablante tenga la oportunidad de acceer

A community newspaper chronicling the here and now of College Park, Maryland. CollegeParkHere.com StreetcarSuburbs.News

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President: Marta McLellan Ross

Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk

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General Counsel: Michael Walls Nora Eidelman, Merrill Hartson, Alec Lynde, Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich, Tara Susman-Peña Ex Officios: Joshua Garner, Nigel F. Maynard, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack

Councilmember is ‘citizen police’ expert

By OLIVER MACK

College Park City Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) doesn’t wear a badge or carry a gun, but he knows an awful lot about the police.

That’s because he has graduated from three different citizen police academies, where he learned how officers do their jobs and create relationships with members of the community.

“There’s a lot of speculation of how they operate and I wanted to be able to speak confidently in support of the departments that operate within our city,” Hew said. “That’s why I’ve taken the time to do this.”

Citizen police academies are intended to “bridge the gap” between police and citizens, according to Sgt. Erica Johnson, the coordinator of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s (PGPD) Citizens’ Police Academy.

College Park does not have its own police department. Instead, it relies on PGPD officers, University of Maryland (UMD) police and contracted officers, along with Metro Transit Police and Park Police.

Hew has graduated from police academies offered by PGPD, UMD and the Prince George’s County Sheriff ’s Office. Academy participants attend classes once a week for two to three months, learning through a mix of lectures and hands-on activities, including playing the role of an officer responding to an emergency.

Hew, who was re-elected to the council in November, is serving his third term on the dais. He was appointed to the council in 2023 to replace longtime member Fazlul Kabir, who left his seat to become mayor. Before that, he served from 2013 to 2015 in District 4 before citywide redistricting.

He started attending the academies when he was campaigning to keep his seat on the council in 2023.

What he has learned, Hew said, has

FROM PAGE 1

College Park Here & Now is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Council Vice Chair Eric Olson (District 3) and members Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Wanika Fisher (District 2).

helped him contribute in a knowledgeable way to council discussions about safety. He added that he has also been able to help his constituents better understand police operations.

“My colleagues know that I have completed these and when some incident arises that we will discuss, I have an insight that I can share, that they can appreciate, and know that I’ve actually put the time in to do the background on this,” Hew said.

Beyond the training, Hew said the academies have given him a chance to network with police officers. That has led to his ability to talk with police about issues such as a recent surge in graffiti around the city and pass information along to his constituents.

Kabir said training through the citizens’ academies builds trust, communication and understanding among members of the community and the police who patrol the city.

“Oftentimes on the council, when we have discussions on crime prevention and public safety improvement, because of his knowledge, he does share some important insights [about] how we can address those kinds of challenges,” Kabir said. “So it is important.”

Johnson said Hew has been an “integral” part of PGPD’s academy.

“[He was] very attentive, and he wanted to understand what we do, why we do it, and that’s why he came through,” Johnson said. “When [elected officials] understand what we do, it fosters a better relationship and partnership between them and the police department.”

The next PGPD Citizens’ Police Academy begins Feb. 23.

“Any resident that has concerns of public safety and even questions or fears the police should take this course,” Hew said. “That’d be the easiest first step to get an idea about how a police department operates.”

©2026 Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, Inc. 501(c)(3) non-profit publisher of Hyattsville Life & Times, College Park Here & Now, The Laurel Independent, StreetcarSuburbs.News, and The Streetcar Spotlight.

PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

The newspapers’ publisher, Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, will include the insert in each issue through the summer, according to Executive Director Kit Slack. Slack said the nonprofit publishing company will look for additional grants that will allow the insert to become a permanent feature in both papers. Slack, who speaks Spanish, said being the parent of public school children has made her aware “that there are a lot of recent immigrants who are residents in our city, and they get our newspaper, but it doesn’t currently serve them as well as we could.”

Nigel Maynard, managing editor of Hyattsville Life & Times, said the Spanishlanguage insert will help both cities’ large Spanish-speaking populations better en-

gage with the community.

“We have a large Latino population in Hyattsville, and to be able to reach them with news and information they need and can use is a wonderful thing,” Maynard said. “I think we should also support our fellow neighbors in a moment that can seem hostile toward them. Hopefully, this small gesture can help them navigate the current climate.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey (ACS), nearly one-third of College Park residents living in off-campus households—31.3%—speak Spanish at home. The highest concentrations are found in the neighborhoods closest to the University of Maryland (UMD), including Old Town, Calvert Hills and the downtown area, as well as in North College Park, particularly Hollywood and Daniels Park.

This figure does not include children younger than 5 or students who live in dorms, fraternity or sorority houses, or

other university-owned housing. Together, those two groups make up roughly half of the city’s total population but are not counted in the ACS data.

College Park City Councilmember Jacob Hernandez (District 1), who championed the addition of Spanish-language versions of city government publications once created only for English-language readers, said publishing Spanish-language articles in the local newspaper will “expand people’s knowledge of their civic responsibilities and what’s going on around their neighborhoods and community.”

Hernandez added: “It’s going to be residents whose parents only speak Spanish. It’s going to be residents who have not ever been targeted for hyper-local news, or haven’t been the audience. It’s going to be for folks [for whom] hyper-local news has never previously served a role.”

Managing Editor Sharon O’Malley contributed to this story.

MOM’s market employees fail to override mandatory union dues

By SHARON O’MALLEY

Employees of MOM’s Organic Market in the Hollywood Shopping Center on Jan. 13 failed to overturn a clause in their union contract that mandates that all of the grocer’s workers pay union dues.

During balloting at the store, 19 employees voted to deauthorize mandatory union dues, while four opposed the move to make dues voluntary.

Twenty-one workers—a majority of the store’s 40 union-eligible employees—would have had to vote in favor of deauthorization in order to invalidate a dues requirement that appears in the union contract that was ratified in November, according to Jonathan Williams, communications director for the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 400 Union.

The contract also authorizes MOM’s to fire any employee who refuses to pay dues.

Williams said the union had already told MOM’s employees,

via a bulletin board announcement and an email, that it would not enforce mandatory dues.

“Dues are entirely optional,

which is why this entire exercise was, to my mind, a total waste of time,” Williams told College Park Here & Now

But Patrick Semmens, vice

president of the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, said employees wanted that promise to be made official through a secret ballot election overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.

“I and many of my colleagues at MOM’s don’t support UFCW union officials, but we are compelled by law to deal with them,” Nora Ricse, a MOM’s employee who collected signatures on a petition to trigger the vote, said in a press release issued by the foundation. “We are requesting this vote so we can ensure our hard-earned money doesn’t flow into union bosses’ pockets, regardless of what they’ve told us is going to happen.”

Dues for full-time MOM’s employees are $10 a month and for part-timers, $8. Williams said no dues have been collected so far.

MOM’s employees voted to unionize in December 2022. In November 2024, workers voted 22-9 to stay in the union.

Associate Editor Jalen Wade contributed to this story.

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Governor pushes for smaller, denser housing

By JOE MURCHISON

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has proposed a drastic change in Maryland zoning law to promote construction of more affordable homes, but state officials who represent College Park are divided on whether it would be a good thing.

Moore has introduced a bill in the Maryland General Assembly—SB 36 in the Senate and HB 239 in the House of Delegates— that would prohibit local governments from requiring more than 5,000 square feet of property per single-family house. That would allow developers to

build at least eight houses per acre.

Prince George’s County’s current zoning categories for single-family detached houses allow only one, two, four or six houses per acre.

In addition, Moore’s legislation would not allow localities to prevent builders from constructing townhouses on property zoned for single-family homes.

House Speaker Joseline PeñaMelnyk (District 21), who represents College Park, is a strong advocate of Moore’s proposal.

“Maryland has a housing shortage of roughly 100,000

homes,” Peña-Melnyk said in an email. “It shows up as higher rents, fewer starter homes, longer commutes and families being priced out of the communities they love.”

She added: “When people can’t afford to live here, we lose workers. We lose families. And we lose the economic growth that allows us to fund schools, transportation and public safety. That is a budget issue—and a quality-of-life issue—all rolled into one.”

Peña-Melnyk said Moore’s legislation “recognizes a simple truth: We need more housing choices. Smaller homes. Townhouses. Accessory dwelling units. Homes that work for young families, seniors and first-time buyers. One-size-fitsall zoning no longer reflects how Marylanders live.”

State Sen. Jim Rosapepe (District 21), who also represents

College Park, is less enthusiastic. “I think the administration’s heart is in the right place,” he said in an interview. “I think they have focused too much on the zoning issues and not enough on practical issues.”

Rosapepe said plenty of land already zoned for single-family housing is not being used.

“We need to attract developers to build in areas that are zoned for it,” he said.

Rosapepe added that the state should do more to promote the construction of homes near MARC train stations, such as the one on Bowdoin Avenue in College Park. “That’s where the energy ought to be going,” he said.

In fact, Moore issued an executive order in September for his administration to seek out opportunities to convert stateowned land, such as at MARC stations, into housing developments.

Prince George’s County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) said he opposes Moore’s proposal.

In a Jan. 20 newsletter to constituents, he said, “As drafted, the governor’s SB 36 is a sprawl multiplier which will worsen congestion, pollution, school overcrowding and will strain public safety resources.”

Dernoga, who represents part of College Park, said the county already has an overabundance of small single-family houses, and this has stunted the county’s tax base, which is significantly lower than that of surrounding counties.

Hearings on the governor’s legislation are scheduled for Feb. 4 in the Senate and Feb. 12 in the House of Delegates.

City considers expanding permit parking

By IJEOMA OPARA

College Park City Council members in January asked city staff to conduct a study to determine whether to restrict parking in residential neighborhoods by issuing permits.

Some neighborhoods, including those with crowded streets and few driveways in North College Park and around the University of Maryland campus, already have permit-only parking. The study would examine whether parking should be permit-restricted on additional streets throughout the city.

Parking Enforcement Officer

Jim Miller told councilmembers on Jan. 13 that the city code already allows for permit parking, so increasing the number of streets with restrictions would not require a change in the law.

“It’s a matter of how that restricted parking is utilized,” Miller said.

Miller proposed the study during an August 2025 meeting, when the council discussed the issue extensively.

He said permit-only parking could help address overcrowding in homes because only homeowners and tenants whose names appear on a lease would qualify for permits.

“Where are they going to park their car now, because they are not on a lease agreement, they are not listed as [the] owner-occupied property owner,” Miller said. “Without providing the necessary documentation that we require, they won’t be able to get a permit, so they’ll have to figure out where their car goes. So that is a good stopgap measure that helps.”

In areas where parking is already restricted, permits are free. Most households can receive five residential permits and two visitor passes.

During the meeting, Miller proposed charging an annual fee for each permit, citing administrative costs related to parking enforcement.

He proposed a fee schedule that would allow one free permit per household but charge for additional permits, with fees escalating as the number of vehicles increases.

He also proposed that the council reduce the number of permits per household from five to three, plus two guest passes.

“We can utilize staff to determine where the proper numbers might fall for council approval, and that would be from one neighborhood to the next,” Miller said.

Councilmembers had mixed

reactions to the proposal to charge for permits.

Former Councilmember Susan Whitney (District 2) said paid street parking could lead more homeowners to build driveways, which could result in less green space and increased stormwater runoff.

Whitney, who did not run for re-election in November, suggested the city offer more incentives, such as tax breaks, to encourage residents to own fewer cars.

“We want people who need their cars to be able to park them, and we want people who

can get by with one car to do that and to be encouraged to do that,” she said.

The council also discussed the study during a November 2025 meeting.

At that time, councilmembers were united against permit fees and opted instead to consider

Parking Enforcement Officer Jim Miller said permit-only parking could help address overcrowding in homes because only homeowners and tenants whose names appear on a lease would qualify for permits.

increasing fines for safety violations, such as parking too close to a fire hydrant.

Director of Public Services Jatinder Khokhar said it could take a minimum of three to four months to survey the city’s neighborhoods to determine which are candidates for permit parking.

Area schools outpace county in filling teacher vacancies

By SHARON O’MALLEY

The public schools that serve most of College Park’s children have filled teacher vacancies at a faster rate than the countywide average since the start of the school year in August.

Elementary, middle and high schools where most of College Park’s children attend did better than the 52% countywide reduction rate, signaling a broad staffing recovery across all three tiers of local schooling.

Elementary schools have seen the biggest gains. The five neighborhood elementary schools that serve most of College Park’s children have cut their teacher vacancies by 69% since August, compared with 48% countywide, according to the Prince George’s County Public Schools Priority & School Staffing Vacancy Dashboard

The five elementary schools— Hollywood and Paint Branch elementary schools in College Park; Cherokee Lane Elementary in Adelphi; Berwyn Heights Elementary; and University Park Elementary—reduced their combined vacancies from 13 teachers to four.

The shift is part of a six-month

countywide effort to rebuild the school district’s talent pipeline through aggressive signing bonuses, a new ‘”fast-track” hiring model and a state law that raised starting teacher salaries to more than $60,000.

“We have cut vacancies in half in just one year, which shows how quickly we can move when systems are aligned and people are supported,” Interim Superintendent Shawn Joseph said in a press release. “We are

strengthening our workforce, improving how we recruit and raising the bar for how we bring talent into PGCPS.”

Teacher vacancies at Hollywood Elementary dropped to one-half of a position from 3.5 at the beginning of the school year, according to the dashboard.

Paint Branch Elementary slashed its vacancies from 2.5 to one; Cherokee Lane Elementary dropped from five to two; and Berwyn Heights reduced open

positions from two to one-half. University Park Elementary did not report any vacancies at the beginning of the school year and remains fully staffed, according to the dashboard.

The high schools that most College Park teens attend also reduced their teacher vacancies since the beginning of the school year. Combined, High Point, Parkdale, Northwestern and Eleanor Roosevelt high schools trimmed their 36 va-

cancies in August to 15.5 in January, for a nearly 57% reduction, compared with 54% for high schools countywide.

Middle schools serving most of the city’s students whittled their vacancies from 15 to 5.5 since August, for a 63% combined reduction in vacancies at Buck Lodge (Adelphi), Greenbelt, Hyattsville and William Wirt (Riverdale Park) middle schools. That compares with 55% for public middle schools countywide, according to the dashboard.

While not included among the neighborhood schools, College Park Academy—the city’s public charter school—also saw improvements. The school, which serves grades 6 through 12, filled a middle school math vacancy in November, leaving one high school STEM position open as of mid-January, according to PGCPS.

In a PGCPS press release, Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy noted that fuller teacher rosters mean “our young people are reaping the benefits, including stability in the classroom.”

The county is calling the combined 52% reduction in vacancies across all school levels “historic.” PGCPS cut its total teacher vacancies from 900.5 full-time equivalent positions to 434 since August.

In addition, vacancies for special education teachers and bus drivers have fallen, according to PGCPS.

Vacancy figures are based on an analysis of the PGCPS Priority & School Staffing Vacancy Dashboard as of Jan. 15. Percentages represent the reduction in teacher full-time equivalent (FTE) positions at neighborhood public schools serving College Park.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Find more local events all month long in our online calendar at StreetcarSuburbs.News/

Our calendar includes many events and meetings sponsored by the City of College Park and local nonprofits, including arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Feb. 4 and Feb. 26. For additional events and meetings organized by the city, see the College Park Post newsletter in this paper’s centerfold. Find more local events all month long in our new continuously updated online calendar, streetcarsuburbs. news/events.

Please send notices of events taking place between March 1-30 to jalen@streetcarsuburbs. news by Feb. 20.

Feb. 4

Senior Social Events

Seniors can use this event as an opportunity to engage in mentally and physically active programs, socialize and meet new friends. Join fellow seniors for socializing, light refreshments and community games. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. College Park Woods Clubhouse (3545 Marlbrough Way). To RSVP, call 240-4873614.

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company: Still/Here

Bill T. Jones’s era-defining dance Still/Here comes to the Clarice. This performance, initially staged during the AIDS epidemic, continues into the modern day. Price zone 1: $55, price zone 2: $40, price zone 3: $25. 7:30 p.m. Kay Theatre (8270 Alumni Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/pdww7tc2.

Feb. 11

Homeschoolers: Sewing and Playtime

Needle arts and playtime. Two sewing classes will be going on at the same time—a needlepoint class for younger children (ages 7 and under) and a traditional embroidery skills class for older children (ages 8 and up). $20. 2-4 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). Registration required for sewing classes. Contact tricia.gonwa@gmail.com.

Feb. 12

College Park Community Library Book Club

Meets on the second Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. at the College Park Community Library (9704 Rhode Island Ave.). “The Unpassing” by Chia Lin. March

12: “The Thursday Murder Club.”

Feb. 14

Children’s Arts Drop-in: Collage Valentine’s Drop-in features fun, materials-based activities for children ages 3-8 with their caregivers, led by Ian Blackwell Rogers, a local artist and early childhood educator with 30 years of experience. Free. 12:30-2 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information, visit tinyurl.com/3t4whv6k.

Feb. 17

Book Club on Zoom!

Book club with a focus on female writers. This month’s book is “The Arbornaut: A Life Discovering the Eighth Continent in the Trees Above Us” by Meg Lowman. Free. 7-8 p.m. College Park Community Library (9704 Rhode Island Ave.). For more information, visit tinyurl. com/46vd5jz9.

Feb. 19

Nature’s Healing Power: A Grief Support Group Series

This Chesapeake Life Center offering is a free, natureinformed program that will include immersive walks in nature, time spent focusing on the cycle of the seasons and working with natural objects to contain and express the grief experience. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Lake Artemesia Natural Area (8200 55th Ave.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/ tw2zcxuc. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 888-501-7077 or emailing griefinfo@chesapeakelifecenter.org.

Feb. 21

Frevo Dance For Kids

Bring your kids to jump into the vibrant world of frevo, a high-energy carnival dance from Brazil that blends playful movement with colorful flair. With its joyful energy and lively music, frevo is the perfect way for kids to celebrate movement, rhythm and cultural creativity. Free. 1-2 p.m. Old Parish House (4711 Knox Rd.). For more information visit http://cpae. org/arts/event/frevo-dancefor-kids/.

Berliner Helicopter Family Day

Discover the thrill of vertical flight and how it started at College Park Airport. Explore

the new exhibition, “The Berliner Helicopter: America’s Forgotten Helicopter.” Get hands-on with interactives, and explore the wonders of vertical flight technology. $2-$5. College Park Aviation Museum (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/5pfv5c78.

Makaya McCraven

Makaya McCraven is a prolific drummer, composer, producer and trailblazer in the world of new music. For one night he comes to the Clarice. $45. 8 p.m. Dekelboum Auditorium (8270 Alumni Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/4kmpb8av.

Feb. 22

Runway Rhythms featuring Riverdale Chamber Music: The Salon Trio Step into the golden age of flight with the Salon Trio in this one-of-a-kind concert blending historic aviation film footage and live classical music. $5. 3-4:30 p.m. College Park Aviation Museum (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/5pfv5c78.

Repeating Events

Story Time for Children

Storytelling session geared to infants and older children. Free. Every Wednesday. 9:3010 a.m. College Park Community Library (9704 Rhode Island Ave.). For more information, email bokays100@ juno.com.

February

21:

Lunar New Year

Join the City of College Park for a celebration in honor of the Lunar New Year! The event will feature traditional music, demonstrations, lion dancing, food samples, fun giveaways and more. Make a Fire Horse craft with CPAE. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. College Park City Hall (7401 Baltimore Ave.). For more information visit https://tinyurl. com/3y4z668t.

Jessie’s Line Dance

Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers offers a class with step-by-step instruction, and students then perform dances to soul, gospel and pop music. Free. Every Friday from 10-11 a.m. on Zoom. For more information and the registration link, email info@cpae.org.

Neighborhood Association Meetings

North College Park Civic Association

Second Thursday of the month. 7:30-9 p.m. Davis Hall (9217 51st Ave.). For more information, email NCPCivic@ gmail.com.

Berwyn District Civic Association

Regular meetings of the BDCA are held on the third Thursday of each month. 7:30 p.m. For more information, email bdca-board@myberwyn.

Two Centering Prayer Groups

Mondays, 7:00 pm

Wednesdays, 9:30 am

For details, contact facilitator Donna Chacko at 202-302-2395 or serenityandhealthdc@gmail.com

To learn more about Centering Prayer, visit www.contemplativeoutreach.org/centering-prayer-method or scan the QR code for an in-depth blog by Donna!

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DISC GOLF

“When I got down here to Maryland, everybody was throwing Frisbees,” O’Neil said. “At the beach, wherever. And I couldn’t throw them, you know? And I said, ‘I’m going to teach myself how to fricking throw a Frisbee.’”

O’Neil began to practice during his lunch breaks at the U.S. Naval Observatory, where he worked as a planner and estimator. In his spare time, he threw Frisbees around with his friends on the University of Maryland campus.

While O’Neil was busy learning to toss a Frisbee, disc golf was starting to grow in popularity.

Small groups of Frisbee enthusiasts began playing disc golf competitively in the late ’60s, but the sport didn’t take off until Ed Headrick, executive vice president of the toy company Wham-O, the parent of the Frisbee brand, began promoting it in the mid-1970s.

Headrick founded the Professional Disc Golf Association, which O’Neil joined in 1976, becoming the association’s 117th member. The organization now has more than 108,000 active members worldwide, according to its website.

Now that he is retired, O’Neil plays disc golf less than he used

to. He goes to local parks once or twice a week to practice “because I don’t want to throw my arm out,” he said. He goes to disc golf courses about once a month to play a full game, which can take several hours.

He usually plays at the Calvert Road Park disc golf course near the College Park Airport. He has been playing there since the course—the first in Maryland— was established in 1980. Today, there are around 100 courses throughout the state.

O’Neil hasn’t played in tournaments since the ’80s. He said tournaments can be competitive, with talented players traveling from out of state for the chance to win prize money.

“I do it for fun,” O’Neil said, laughing. “These people do it for blood.”

Instead, O’Neil likes to play on his own or with family members when he gets the chance. He introduced a few of his brothers to the sport and sends discs and targets to his extended family as Christmas gifts.

O’Neil has simple advice for anyone who wants to try disc golf.

“Just go around and have a good time, because that’s what I do,” O’Neil said. “I’m not going to go spend $1,000 practicing like these pro kids do, but it’s just so much fun to get out and walk around.”

COLLEGE PARK POST

LUNAR NEW YEAR UNAR CELEBRATION

Celebrate culture, tradition, and community on February 21

PHOTO BY DAVID CRISSINGER

The City of College Park invites residents to ring in the Lunar New Year with a special community celebration on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall (7401 Baltimore Ave.).

This free event highlights the traditions and contributions of College Park’s Asian American community and offers a welcoming space for neighbors of all ages to come together, learn, and celebrate.

A MORNING OF TRADITION & CULTURE

Guests can enjoy a variety of live performances and cultural showcases throughout the morning, including traditional music and lion dancing. Demonstrations inside City Hall will provide an engaging look at Lunar New Year customs and their significance.

Children will have opportunities to participate in hands-on crafts and interactive activities designed to introduce cultural traditions in a fun and meaningful way.

College Park welcomes the Lunar New Year

ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS & SURPRISES

As visitors explore the building, they can stop by activity stations featuring interactive experiences and festive giveaways. These elements add excitement and create memorable moments for families and guests throughout the event.

CELEBRATING TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY

The Lunar New Year Celebration reflects College Park’s commitment to inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and community connection. Whether attending with family, friends, or neighbors, this event offers a chance to recognize shared values and celebrate the diversity that strengthens our city.

Admission is free, and free parking will be available in the Downtown College Park Parking Garage during the event.

For additional details, visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/events or email events@collegeparkmd.gov.

CONNECT WITH THE CITY

The City of College Park utilizes a variety of communication tools to reach it’s many residents and stakeholders. Seek out the tools you prefer to use to find the information you need, when you need it.

FIND US

City Hall

7401 Baltimore Ave.

Davis Hall 9217 51st Ave.

Youth & Family Services 4912 Nantucket Rd.

Seniors Program 4508 College Ave.

Main City Website collegeparkmd.gov

Social Media

Text Alerts

Text COLLEGE PARK to 38276 for major City news and event notices.

Text CPALERTS to 38276 for immediate emergency alerts.

Email

Weekly Bulletin e-newsletter shares updates on programs, services, and events each Friday.

Municipal Scene magazine provides local insights into the latest hot topics at the beginning of each month.

Sign up for e-news at collegeparkmd.gov/connect

Print

College Park Post insert inside of the College Park Here & Now newspaper is delivered to residents at the beginning of each month.

Resident Guide is a bi-annual magazine with local stories and tips for living in College Park.

Television

The City’s cable channel shares City information daily. Check out Comcast Channel 71 or Verizon Channel 25.

Download the app

The College Park Connect App allows you to access information, submit service requests, report issues, and more!

WISE Connect Brings New Opportunities for Adults 55+

Building community, connection, and wellness in College Park

The City of College Park is partnering with WISE Connect, a local organization dedicated to helping adults ages 55 and up stay socially connected, active, and engaged. This partnership supports lifelong wellness by creating welcoming spaces where residents can build meaningful relationships, explore new interests, and remain involved in their community in ways that feel comfortable and rewarding.

WISE Connect programs take place throughout College Park and offer a wide range of opportunities, from coffee socials and walking groups to enrichment classes and casual happy hours. Activities are designed to be inclusive and flexible, allowing participants to engage at their own pace while meeting neighbors from across the community—including longtime residents, newcomers, and students alike. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or simply enjoy shared experiences, there’s something for everyone.

SUPPORTING SPANISHSPEAKING RESIDENTS

To better serve College Park’s diverse community, WISE Connect has made its website easier to navigate in Spanish and continues to improve the accuracy of translated materials. The organization will also be announcing a series of Spanishlanguage events, creating more opportunities for Spanishspeaking residents to attend activities comfortably and connect with others in their preferred language. These efforts

help remove language barriers and foster a stronger sense of belonging.

Spanish-speaking residents are encouraged to reach out directly:

Para Español: hola@wiseconnect. us | 301-683-8506

ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT CONNECTION AND WELLNESS

Staying socially connected plays an important role in overall health and well-being, and WISE Connect activities are designed to make social engagement easy, enjoyable, and low-pressure. Free transportation is available to event locations, helping remove barriers to participation and making it easier for residents to stay involved, regardless of mobility or access concerns.

Participants are responsible only for the cost of food, drinks, or tickets when applicable, and community members are encouraged to share ideas for future activities. This collaborative approach helps ensure programming continues to reflect the interests, cultures, and needs of those it serves while strengthening community ties.

STAY CONNECTED

Residents interested in learning more or staying informed about upcoming activities can contact

Marie Brodsky at hello@ wiseconnect.us or 571-354-6626.

Brought to you by the City of College Park in partnership with WISE Connect, supporting inclusive, connected living for adults 55 and up.

CBE February Tip

Simple ways to save energy and reduce costs

When temperatures drop, it’s easy to turn up the heat without thinking about the impact on energy bills or the environment. Before adjusting your thermostat, consider layering up with a sweater or warm slippers to stay comfortable while using less energy at home.

During winter months, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees can help reduce energy use while still keeping your living space warm. If you have a furnace, lowering the temperature an additional five to eight degrees while sleeping or away from home can lead to noticeable savings over time. Programmable or

smart thermostats make this even easier by automatically managing temperature changes for you.

Homes with heat pump systems should maintain a consistent temperature, as frequent adjustments can activate auxiliary heat and increase energy costs. Even small changes can lower heating bills by up to 10%, helping residents save money while supporting a healthier environment.

Brought to you by the City’s committee for a better environment. Learn more at www. collegeparkmd.gov.

Star Gazing Under the Night Sky

An evening with the National Air and Space Museum

The City of College Park is excited to host, in partnership with the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), a special evening of stargazing and hands-on astronomy experiences. Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join NASM educators and astronomy enthusiasts for a fun and educational night under the stars.

This community event offers the opportunity to explore the night sky through telescope viewing, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on activities designed to spark curiosity and wonder. NASM staff will be on site with a collection of their telescopes and equipment, guiding participants as they observe celestial features and learn more about astronomy in an engaging, approachable way. Whether you’re new to stargazing or already fascinated by space,

this experience is welcoming and accessible for all.

A NIGHT OF DISCOVERY

The event will take place on Friday, March 27, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Calvert Hills Playground & Field, located at 4601 Calvert Road. Admission is free, and no tickets or reservations are required.

PLAN AHEAD

Outdoor viewing is weather permitting. If weather conditions are not favorable for stargazing, NASM demonstrations and activities will take place inside City Hall, ensuring the event continues rain or shine. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes, and bring layers, as temperatures may drop after sunset.

For additional details, please email events@collegeparkmd.gov.

City Announcements

More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov

PRESIDENT’S DAY CITY OFFICE CLOSURE

In recognition of President’s Day, all City of College Park offices will be closed on Monday, February 16.

Trash and recycling services will follow an adjusted schedule during the holiday week, with collections delayed by one day:

• Monday pickups will move to Tuesday, February 17

• Tuesday pickups will move to Wednesday, February 18

• Wednesday pickups will move to Thursday, February 19

Special collection services will be available Friday, February 20 only.

Residents must schedule special pickups in advance by calling 240-487-3590 or emailing publicworks@collegeparkmd. gov prior to placing items at the curb.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY MEETING

Monday, February 2, 2026 | 7:00–8:30 PM | Hybrid

The City of College Park invites residents to take part in an upcoming Public Safety Community Meeting focused on current safety efforts and community priorities. City officials and staff will share

updates, listen to resident feedback, and address questions related to public safety across the City.

Participants may attend either in person at City Hall (7401 Baltimore Avenue) or virtually via Zoom, offering flexibility for those who prefer to join remotely.

Advance registration is required. To register and receive meeting access details, visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ publicsafetymeeting.

TEEN TALK

Teen Talk is a group program that offers a safe and supportive space for Prince George’s County students ages 14–17 to discuss and explore everyday family, school, social, and peer-related topics. Through guided activities, open conversations, and shared experiences, participants build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop positive coping skills.

The group meets on Wednesdays from 6:00–7:30 PM on select dates between late January and March.

Registration is required, and space may be limited.

For availability and registration information, please contact the City of College Park’s Department of Youth, Family & Senior Services at 240-487-3550.

Community College. Apply by February 27.

Winter Safety Reminder

Snow & Ice Removal Requirements

As winter weather continues, the City of College Park reminds residents, property owners, and businesses of the importance of clearing snow and ice promptly to help keep neighborhoods safe and accessible. Snow and ice accumulation can create hazardous conditions, particularly during freezing temperatures, and timely removal supports pedestrian safety and community mobility throughout the City. Everyone plays a role in keeping walkways and shared spaces safe during winter weather.

PARKING DURING SNOW EVENTS

When snow is in the forecast, residents are encouraged to park off the street whenever possible. Help snow plows clear roads quickly and efficiently by parking vehicles in driveways or, if a driveway is not available, as close to the curb as possible. Keeping streets as clear as possible allows crews to restore safe travel conditions faster and more effectively.

Residents can track City snow plow activity and stay informed about winter operations by visiting www. collegeparkmd.gov/snow during snow events. Checking plow progress can help residents better plan travel and parking during winter storms.

SNOW & ICE REMOVAL RESPONSIBILITIES

City regulations require property owners, occupants, and merchants to remove accumulated snow and

ice from sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, and other surfaces used by pedestrians or vehicles. Properties that border a public sidewalk must ensure snow and ice are cleared from the entire width of the sidewalk so pedestrians can travel safely.

Snow and ice must be removed within 24 hours after a winter weather event ends, in accordance with City Code requirements. These standards help maintain safe passage for residents and visitors and reduce the risk of slips, falls, and injuries across the community.

WHY SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL MATTERS

Keeping sidewalks and walkways clear is essential for public safety and accessibility. Many residents rely on walkable routes to reach schools, public transit, local businesses, and places of employment. Clear pathways are especially important for seniors, individuals with disabilities, parents with strollers, and others with mobility needs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More information about winter preparedness, snow response, and City services is available in the City’s Guide to Winter Weather at www. collegeparkmd.gov/snow.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Public Works at 240-487-3590 or publicworks@collegeparkmd.gov.

Students suggest ways to ease neighborhood tensions near UMD

By ELIZABETH FARAGI

Three housing policy students in December suggested that the city and the University of Maryland (UMD) could do more to help undergraduate tenants become better neighbors to the long-term homeowners who live near them.

The students, part of the UMD Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability Program, told the College Park City Council that students who cannot find on-campus housing have to live in nearby neighborhoods, which creates tension between temporary and permanent residents.

“The university campus can only accommodate about 20% of its current 30,000 student population for undergrads,” Frances Chen, one of the presenters, said, “leaving nearly 24,000 to find housing off campus, which is altering the supply-and-demand nature of College Park.”

Because of the high rents at local apartments, many students opt to live in single-family homes in historic neighborhoods such as Old Town, Berwyn and Lakeland, Chen said.

Chen said the average monthly rent ballooned from $850 in 2000 to $1,850 in 2020.

This has caused what Chen called “studentification” of established neighborhoods, which she said can degrade a community’s quality of life.

“There has … been an issue with neighborhood degradation,” Chen said, “with many students and party houses creating a lot of trash as well as general noise complaints within neighborhoods.”

Chen and classmates Nicholas Crane and Ashna Pandya, who collaborated on the research project, recommended that the city expand an existing door-knocking program that sends code enforcement officers into neighborhoods with large student populations to explain city rules and the penalties for breaking them.

The trio also endorsed a nowdefunct city program that offered rent subsidies to some students renting in College Park and suggested that the university allow alcohol consumption in designated areas on campus so students can host parties there instead of in private houses.

“There has … been an issue with neighborhood degradation with many students and party houses creating a lot of trash as well as general noise complaints within neighborhoods.”

Frances Chen UMD Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability Program

[homeowners and] balances affordable housing for the student population [with] enforcing city codes,” Chen said.

But Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) said the university should take more responsibility for teaching its students how to be good neighbors.

“The university well knows that, after two years living on campus, students are expected to live off campus,” Hew said. “They’re expected to live in our community. They have not taken any responsibility in preparing the students living off campus. There is no orientation of the policies that [a student living in] the city has to be a respectful neighbor and a good Terrapin.”

Hew added that the doorknocking program is ineffective.

“We found that the most successful communities have used deep university and city cooperation to create a solution that works for both students and

“I think the university needs to take a serious, dedicated role in training all students who will have to move into a community when they move off campus,” Hew said. “They need to take a big part in that because these are their students coming into our community without any heads up.”

Hay esperanza y ayuda para las familias y amistades de los alcohólicos en Al-Anon. CUANDO NO SABES A

Grupos Familiares Al-Anon, llamen al 1-888-425-2666 (1-888-4AL-ANON) Al-Anon.org

Committee pushes for changes at school bus stops

By ELIZABETH FARAGI

A citizen-led committee resubmitted a year-old report on school bus stop safety to the College Park City Council in January in an effort to encourage officials to make changes to protect elementary school children.

College Park’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) in October 2024 recommended that the city upgrade safety at seven school bus stops that scored low on an evaluation of the city’s 75 waiting sites for elementary students.

Committee members told College Park Here & Now the city has not acted on any of the recommendations, which included adding bike lanes to narrow one road and installing a sidewalk for children who walk along another.

“I personally feel that is an outrage and there has been very little movement and very little progress,” Donald Hays, the chairman of the BPAC subcommittee that produced the report, said of the committee’s request for a sidewalk at the bus stop at St. Andrews Place and Duke Street. “That area continues to be the most dangerous place for elementary school children to wait for their bus that could be fixed tomorrow.”

The report included safety evaluations for 75 elementary school bus stops across 59 intersections within the city’s limits. Each bus stop was graded on a

“No one is more vulnerable than children. They cannot vote. Often they cannot speak for themselves because they don’t understand the political system. How do we actually, truly protect the most vulnerable people in our city?”

Donald Hays chairman of a subcommittee of College Park’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee

100-point scale based on safety criteria from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The report included safety recommendations for seven bus stops with scores lower than 75%.

The subcommittee’s most substantial requests were for a sidewalk at St. Andrews Place, bike lanes on Edgewood Road and 49th Avenue, and the relocation of the bus stop at 47th Avenue and Cherry Hill Road to 47th Avenue and Kiernan Road.

Three of the remaining four bus stops flagged in the report are on Metzerott Road, which is maintained by Prince George’s County. The report asks the city to recommend safety upgrades to the county. In addition, the report cited “safety concerns” for a fourth bus stop on Route 1, a state road, but noted the subcommittee did not have a specific solution that would prevent children from having to wait for their bus in a driveway next to The Jerk Pit.

To come up with recommendations, Hays said, “We used a combination of different images from around the internet. We would place ourselves like we were a child on that map and drag the photo around.”

Subcommittee members moved the photos around the bus stop images, looking for sidewalks, nearby highways and other safety features and hazards, according to Hays.

“Once we had looked at all the bus stops and we had identified the most dangerous ones,” Hays said, “we did more boots-on-the-ground work to make sure that our recommendations were based in reality.”

Hays said District 1 Councilmembers Jacob Hernandez and Alan Hew are supportive of adding bike lanes on Edgewood Road. But in District 4, he said, “we have councilmembers who are actively opposing [the building of a sidewalk at St. Andrews Place] because people [from the neighborhoods there] don’t like the idea of sidewalks.”

Mark Shroder, the chair of BPAC, said many residents do not want sidewalks on their property.

“Everybody’s in favor of bicycle and pedestrian safety in general, but you may not be in favor of it right in front of your property,” Shroder said. “There were people who found the idea of sidewalks on their property inconvenient.”

Hays said the bus stop at St. Andrews Place and Duke Street remains the most dangerous location identified in the report, and homeowner opposition has stalled changes there.

“No one is more vulnerable than children,” Hays said. “They cannot vote. Often they cannot speak for themselves because they don’t understand the political system. How do we actually, truly protect the most vulnerable people in our city?”

Police charge 4 in murder of teen found in College Park

By SHARON O’MALLEY

Prince George’s County police have charged four suspects, including a 17-year-old who lives in Hyattsville, with the apparent gang-related murder of a 14-year-old whose remains were found in College Park on Nov. 3.

According to police, the victim, Jefferson Amaya-Ayala of the District, apparently was lured into Indian Creek Stream Valley Park on Aug. 2 and murdered the same day. Police said the victim knew at least one of the suspects.

County police on Jan. 13 named the suspects as Jose Merlos-Majano, 18, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, 21, and William Cuellar Gutierrez, 19, all from the District, where Amaya-Ayala was last seen on Aug. 2, according to the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Police withheld the name of a

fourth suspect, the 17-year-old.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Amaya-Ayala died from multiple injuries.

County police, Metropolitan

Police Department officers and the FBI’s Cross-Border Task Force were conducting a joint missing-persons investigation when they discovered the remains on Nov. 3, according to a

Lakeland to add artwork highlighting its history

By OLIVER MACK

Residents of College Park’s Lakeland neighborhood are planning to add 10 murals to sidewalks, storm drains, fences, retaining walls and paths throughout the community.

The project is a continuation of a decades-long effort to highlight the history of Lakeland, said Maxine Gross, a member of the Lakeland Community Heritage Project and a fifth-generation Lakeland resident.

“It’s just a way for folks to be able to see the community that we have been talking about for a number of years,” Gross said. “We’re talking about what that community was like [before urban renewal], and help people to understand the asset that was lost and help them to understand the commitment for rebuilding.”

Some of the artwork will appear as wayfinding elements along the path of the neighborhood’s walking tour.

Some will incorporate themes of the Trolley Trail and the importance of protecting local waterways.

“We felt very strongly that this is a way we could recognize and promote the legacy of College

Park and the Lakeland community,” College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir said.

According to city documents, the project “prioritizes community voices, engages residents in the creation of public art and preserves the neighborhood’s heritage.”

Community members will select the artists and sites for the murals between November and February, and have them installed by the end of 2026, Gross said.

“It will be a public display that will help tell the history of the Lakeland community,” Gross

said. “What exactly that looks like is still under conversation.”

At a Sept. 16 meeting, the College Park City Council agreed to repurpose a $12,650 2022 grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and add $15,732 of city funds, giving the project a total budget of $28,382.

The grant was initially intended to enhance the walking tour with 25 QR codes that would take viewers, via their phones, to art or history about Lakeland. That part of the project fell through after delays and legal issues, according to city documents.

news release issued by county police on Dec. 5.

Law enforcement officials set up operations on Sweetbriar Drive on Nov. 3 and told a resident there was no danger to the neighborhood. Police said two of the suspects are in custody in Prince George’s County and two are pending extradition, one from the District and one from Alexandria.

The project is a joint effort among city officials, community members and University of Maryland partners, Kabir said.

Volunteers from the public will participate in “community painting days” to help bring the

project to life, according to the proposal.

“This will be a wonderful and very easy and entertaining way to know about what happened and what used to be the historic Lakeland,” Kabir said.

2nd Taste of College Park features 25 restaurants

By JALEN WADE

Twenty-five College Park restaurants participated in Taste of College Park the week of Jan. 16.

The city’s first restaurant week took place in July. Ryna Quiñones, the city’s communications and events manager, said the event is a way to help local businesses during times when University of Maryland (UMD) students are away on break.

“I don’t want to call them lost months, but [during] those summer and winter months,” Quiñones said, “we want to make sure that we’re helping our businesses through those times and supporting our business community.”

During the week, restaurants offered special menu items and discounts.

For example, Bagels ’n Grinds, 7777 Baltimore Ave., offered a free drink with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich, according to Sydney Poretsky, the director of marketing and communications.

Ryna Quiñones, the city’s communications and events manager, said the event is a way to help local businesses during times when University of Maryland (UMD) students are away on break.

At the July Taste of College Park, the city partnered with the company Flave to use its app for the event. Diners posted pictures of their food to the app and earned points to redeem for future visits.

Economic Development Director Michael Williams said

the partnership did not continue.

“One of the things we found through the pandemic was you don’t want to overburden your business with too much procedure,” Williams said.

Williams said since the July event, five additional restaurants joined: Venezuelan restaurant Arepa Zone, Indian restaurant Maryland Tandoor, Samosas & Spirits, Korean restaurant SeoulSpice and Chinese restaurant Eastern Gourmet.

Neel Kamal, the owner of Maryland Tandoor, 8150 Baltimore Ave., said he offered free mango lassi and chai, and a buy one, get one free deal on samosas. Kamal opened his restaurant in September and said he joined the event to be a part of the community.

“This is my first year,” Kamal said. “I’m not sure how things are but I would like to be a part of this community brand for a very long time.”

Kyle Algaze, the owner of Iron Rooster, 7777 Baltimore Ave., said the restaurant ran two

campaigns. The first was a special menu item called Saylor’s Skillet, a spicy egg scramble created in collaboration with University of Maryland women’s basketball guard Saylor Poffenbarger. For the second, Iron Rooster extended its usual Sunday through Thursday meal deals through the weekend.

“What we really liked about this idea was that it was going

to also benefit the residents of College Park,” Algaze said. “So it wasn’t just going to be something that was associated just with the university, which is great, but we really enjoy the fact that we get a lot of local traffic from the members of the community, from the residents of the surrounding communities. So that’s why we wanted to participate.”

Cómo los estudiantes de la escuela primaria Hollywood recibieron zapatos nuevos

Por MACKENZIE PRINCE

La embotelladora local de Coca-Cola entregó a cada uno de los 301 estudiantes de la Escuela Primaria Hollywood zapatos deportivos nuevos, calcetines y útiles escolares el 12 de noviembre.

La iniciativa Regreso a Clases con Propósito de Coca-Cola Consolidated se asoció con la organización sin fines de lucro Samaritan’s Feet para la entrega. El proyecto apoya a escuelas que sirven a comunidades de bajos ingresos en 14 estados y también dona mochilas, prepara aulas y ofrece tarjetas de regalo a maestros a través de 35 programas.

“Creemos que nuestros niños merecen las mismas oportunidades que tienen las escuelas con mejor financiamiento”, dijo la presidenta de la Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO, por sus siglas en inglés), Samantha McLoughlin. “Nuestros niños son igual de inteligentes, igual de talentosos y... estamos muy agradecidos por esta oportunidad”. En la Escuela Primaria Hollywood, una escuela Título I en el norte de College Park, la oportunidad llegó a través de la maestra de kínder Ashley Franceski. Su esposo, Carl Franceski, gerente general de ventas y

El oso polar de Coca-Cola conversa con estudiantes de la Escuela Primaria Hollywood antes de entregar zapatos nuevos, calcetines y mochilas a cada uno.

MACKENZIE PRINCE

operaciones de Coca-Cola Consolidated, invitó a la compañía a visitar la escuela.

Zapatos color turquesa, negro, morado, rosado, azul y verde llegaron en tallas desde el 9 de niño pequeño hasta el 9 de mujer y el 12 de hombre. Cada par venía con un par de cal-

Concejal vela por los hispanohablantes

Por IJEOMA OPARA

Fidel Alfaro, de 42 años, ha dirigido Alfaro Barbershop en Rhode Island Avenue desde 2019, pero habla muy poco inglés. Así que la mayor parte de la información que aprende sobre la ciudad proviene de uno de sus clientes habituales, el concejal Jacob Hernández (Distrito 1), quien le da la información en español.

“Incluso [los días] que solo viene a cortarse el pelo, siempre me daba algunas ideas sobre cómo funciona la ciudad”, dijo Alfaro a través de un intérprete. Cuando Hernández le contó sobre las

cetines de cortesía. Una vez que los estudiantes encontraron su talla perfecta, voluntarios, incluyendo la mascota del oso polar de Coca-Cola y Testudo de la Universidad de Maryland, los llevaron a una mesa de mochilas coloridas que contenían artículos escolares esenciales.

becas de desarrollo económico de College Park el año pasado, la barbería de Alfaro necesitaba renovaciones. Con la orientación de Hernández, quien ha servido en el concejo desde 2023, Alfaro

“Simplemente estoy feliz de que estemos del lado que recibe”, dijo el director Carlos Johnson.

Johnson también se ha asociado con padres y otras personas de la comunidad para ayudar a los estudiantes y sus padres con donaciones de ropa

y alimentos. Además, la escuela organiza noches comunitarias quincenales.

“Cuando puedes proveer para un padre las cosas que necesita en el hogar, la escuela y el hogar se convierten en uno”, dijo Johnson. Estos esfuerzos no pasan des-

Padres de Parkdale continúan presionando para crear una Asociación de Padres

Por KEIRA HARDESTY

Padres de familia y funcionarios electos locales están trabajando nuevamente para conformar un grupo de padres reconocido en la Escuela Secundaria Parkdale, con el fin de mejorar la comunicación entre las familias y la administración escolar.

La iniciativa, liderada por Jacob Hernández, concejal municipal del Distrito 1 de College Park, se reanudó el 5 de

y Maestros

noviembre con una concurrida reunión entre padres de familia, personal de Parkdale y la directora Tasha Graves. Posteriormente, Hernández se reunió con líderes de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Prince George (PGCPS, por sus siglas en inglés) para solicitar apoyo en la formación de una Asociación de Padres y Maestros (PTA) o una Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO) en la escuela secundaria, en Riverdale.

PARKDALE / 14 

llenó los formularios de solicitud. Para finales de 2024, la barbería tenía $14,000 para gastar en pisos nuevos, puertas, reparaciones del cielo raso y cámaras de seguridad.

“Él siempre tuvo tiempo para venir acá”, dijo Alfaro sobre Hernández.

Ahora Alfaro anima a otros dueños de negocios hispanohablantes en el norte de College Park a involucrarse más con el gobierno de la ciudad.

Cuando Hernández asumió el cargo, una de sus prioridades fue involucrar tanto a las comunidades de habla inglesa como española a través de un enfoque bilingüe, dijo el concejal.

Con ese fin, apoyó la contratación por parte de la ciudad de un miembro del personal bilingüe en 2024 para traducir documentos de la ciudad al español.

Estadounidense de primera generación nacido en Kansas City, Kansas, Hernández, de 32 años, aprendió inglés como segundo idioma en la escuela. Hablaba solo español en casa porque su padre no era bilingüe cuando él era niño.

“Para mí, una de las cosas difíciles que yo, como muchos otros... experimenté fue guiar a tus padres en cada paso, ya sea traduciendo en una reunión de padres y maestros o teniendo una conversación con tus padres sobre documentos importantes que necesitan firmar”, dijo. “Todo, desde registrarte para la escuela hasta los paseos escolares. Para mí, era tratar de ayudarlos a estabilizar sus vidas”.

Dijo que la experiencia de ayudar a sus padres a navegar la sociedad como hablantes no nativos de inglés ha influido en su trabajo en el concejo de la ciudad, donde aboga por com-

partir información de la ciudad en español.

A los 13 años, Hernández dejó Kansas City y se mudó a Phoenix, Arizona, donde asistió a la secundaria.

Navegando una niñez que describió como complicada después de que sus padres se divorciaran, solicitó la emancipación legal a los 16 años. A los 17, una corte en Phoenix le otorgó la emancipación completa y se unió al ejército poco después.

Fue admitido en la Academia de la Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos en Colorado, pero se graduó de la Universidad de Arizona en 2016. Obtuvo una maestría en estudios profesionales e inteligencia aplicada de la Universidad de Georgetown en 2019.

Hernández pasó siete años en servicio militar activo antes

“No estamos buscando un cambio radical ni queremos controlar el funcionamiento de la escuela”, explicó Hernández. “Lo que ofrecemos es fortalecer el apoyo de los padres en todas las formas posibles”.

Jenni Pompi, concejala de la ciudad de Greenbelt y madre de un estudiante de tercer año en Parkdale, indicó que es importante contar con un grupo oficial de padres porque facilita la comunicación de los intereses de las familias con los administradores escolares y les brinda la oportunidad de participar y colaborar activamente en la institución.

Hace aproximadamente dos años, los padres intentaron crear un grupo a través de la organización Free State PTA,

de pasar a las reservas en 2017, donde ha permanecido.

En 2021, se mudó al norte de College Park, donde vive con su madre y hermanos.

Dos años después de mudarse a la ciudad, Hernández se postuló para el cargo y ganó el puesto vacante del Distrito 1.

“Una de las cosas que me apasiona mucho es tratar de involucrar e inspirar a un nuevo residente cívicamente comprometido, ya sea un hablante de inglés, hablante de español...

Muchas personas no están conscientes de los varios servicios que la ciudad hace por la comunidad”, dijo.

Para lograr esto, Hernández se comunica en español con los electores hispanohablantes en las redes sociales.

“Lo más emocionante... es ver ese primer ‘me gusta’”, dijo. “Sabés que alguien leyó esa

mencionó Pompi. Free State se puso en contacto con Graves para solicitar su reconocimiento oficial, pero ella se negó, según indicó Pompi.

“En ese punto, todo se desmoronó”, dijo Pompi. “Creo que todos quedaron desanimados y la iniciativa perdió fuerza, pero este año [Hernández] se interesó en retomar el proceso”.

Graves se reunió con cerca de 30 padres de familia el 5 de noviembre, mientras compartían donas y café. Hernández señaló que la reunión inició tarde y que la escuela no ofreció traducción simultánea para los padres hispanohablantes. Según Hernández, Graves enumeró los objetivos que le gustaría ver en un grupo de padres, los cuales estaban “fuertemente enfocados” en la recaudación de fondos.

Hernández también mencionó que los padres no tuvieron la oportunidad de

actualización. O que se te acerquen y te digan: ‘Muchas gracias por publicar eso, es súper útil’. Eso es una persona a la vez”.

Fuera de línea, se involucra con los dueños de negocios sobre programas de la ciudad, señalando que los del norte de College Park típicamente no aprovechan estos programas tan frecuentemente como los propietarios en otras partes de la ciudad.

“Hay una diferencia visible en la inversión económica privada en la parte norte de la ciudad”, dijo Hernández. “Creo que es porque hay muchos pequeños empresarios [allí] para quienes el inglés no es predominantemente su primer idioma... Lo que he podido hacer es hablar con algunos de los dueños de negocios hispanohablantes y tratar de animarlos a solicitar

expresar sus inquietudes ni sus propios objetivos para el grupo, lo que generó frustración durante el encuentro. Aun así, afirmó que la reunión “fue la primera conversación… y eso representa más progreso del que se ha logrado en mucho tiempo”.

Hernández se reunió con los dirigentes de PGCPS el 10 de noviembre. Durante el encuentro, expresó la disposición de los padres para apoyar a la escuela y solicitó a los funcionarios que respaldaran sus esfuerzos.

Hernández destacó que su trabajo es una continuación de los esfuerzos de padres y miembros de la comunidad que han trabajado previamente para formar este grupo.

“Es una lucha que vale la pena librar para poder construir un mejor futuro para los estudiantes que están aquí”, de-

algunas de estas becas de desarrollo económico... Literalmente entré a cada negocio en el Hollywood Shopping Center para tratar de animarlos”. Sin embargo, dijo que el escepticismo entre los dueños de negocios está limitando estos esfuerzos para promover más interacción con el gobierno entre los residentes hispanohablantes.

Aunque contactó a varios dueños de negocios, Hernández dijo que Alfaro fue el único que actuó sobre la información que compartió.

“No puedo quererlo más que ellos, pero puedo decirles que los recursos están ahí”, dijo. Para su trabajo de tiempo completo, Hernández trabaja en el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos en la Oficina del Enviado Presidencial Especial para Asuntos de Rehenes.

“Es uno de los roles más gratificantes que he tenido en seguridad nacional”, dijo Hernández. Sus responsabilidades incluyen comunicarse con familias de ciudadanos estadounidenses detenidos injustamente fuera del país y trabajar con colegas para asegurar su liberación. En 2023, Hernández fue parte de un equipo que aseguró la liberación de 10 ciudadanos estadounidenses detenidos en Venezuela.

En enero de 2025, también fue parte de las negociaciones entre el gobierno de los Estados Unidos y los talibanes que llevaron a la liberación de dos estadounidenses detenidos en Afganistán.

Más allá de su interés en seguridad nacional, Hernández dijo que espera construir una comunidad de residentes hispanohablantes de College Park que continúen involucrándose con el gobierno local incluso después de que él deje el concejo de la ciudad.

claró Hernández.

Los dirigentes de PGCPS, incluida la jefa de personal Deann Collins, están revisando una encuesta creada por Hernández para evaluar las necesidades e intereses de los padres de Parkdale y determinar los próximos pasos en el proceso de creación del grupo.

Graves no respondió a una solicitud de comentarios por parte de College Park Here & Now.

Nicola Netto-White, una madre de Parkdale cuyo hijo se graduó recientemente y cuya hija cursa el primer año, afirmó que un grupo de padres apoyaría tanto a las familias como a la escuela y ayudaría a “construir una comunidad más fuerte”. “Estoy emocionada de que esto esté avanzando en la dirección correcta y me encantaría ver cómo este proyecto despega”, afirmó Netto-White.

a las mismas noticias sobre College Park, así como quienes leen la versión en inglés del periódico cada mes”, señaló Sharon O’Malley, editora ejecutiva de College Park Here & Now. “Así, por ejemplo, si hay elecciones municipales, los reportajes en inglés los traduciríamos al español; de esta manera la audiencia hispanohablante también tendría acceso a esta información tan importante”.

Hyattsville Life & Times, la publicación hermana de College Park Here & Now, también incorporará un suplemento de cuatro páginas en español, titulado “Hyattsville este Mes”. Ambos forman parte de un proyecto piloto financiado con $8,000 en subvenciones otorgadas por el vicepresidente del Concejo del Condado de Prince George, Eric Olson (Distrito 3), y los concejales Tom Dernoga (Distrito 1) y Wanika Fisher (Distrito 2).

La editorial de los periódicos, Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, incluirá el suplemento en cada edición durante todo el verano, así lo confirmó la directora ejecutiva Kit Slack. Slack explicó que la organización sin fines de lucro buscará subvenciones adicionales que permitan a este suplemento convertirse en una sección permanente en ambos periódicos.

Slack, quien habla español, mencionó que su experiencia como madre de hijos que van a escuelas públicas le ha ayudado a entender que “hay muchos inmigrantes recientes que viven en nuestra ciudad y reciben nuestro periódico, pero en la actualidad no les sirve tanto como nos gustaría”.

Nigel Maynard, editor jefe de Hyattsville Life & Times, mencionó que el suplemento en español ayudará a las comunidades hispanohablantes de ambas ciudades a integrarse mejor en la comunidad.

“Tenemos una numerosa población latina en Hyattsville y poder llegar a ellos con noticias e información útil es algo muy positivo”, afirmó Maynard. “También creo que debemos apoyar a nuestros vecinos en un momento que puede percibirse como hostil hacia ellos. Ojalá este pequeño gesto pueda ayudarlos a sobrellevar el contexto actual”.

Según la última encuesta realizada sobre la Comunidad Estadounidense (ACS) de la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, cerca de un tercio de los residentes de College Park que viven en hogares fuera del campus (31,3 %) hablan español en casa. La mayor concentración se encuentra en los vecindarios más cercanos de la Universidad de Maryland, como Old Town, Calvert Hills y el centro de la ciudad, así como en North College Park, particu-

larmente en Hollywood y Daniels Park. Esta cifra no incluye a los niños menores de cinco años ni a los estudiantes que viven en residencias universitarias, fraternidades, sororidades u otras viviendas administradas por la universidad. En conjunto, estos dos grupos constituyen aproximadamente la mitad de la población total de la ciudad, pero no se tienen en cuenta en los datos de la ACS.

El concejal de College Park, Jacob Hernández (Distrito 1), quien defendió la incorporación de versiones en español de las publicaciones municipales creadas originalmente solo para lectores angloparlantes, afirmó que la publicación de artículos en español en el periódico local “ampliará el conocimiento de las personas sobre sus responsabilidades cívicas y sobre lo que sucede en sus vecindarios y en la comunidad”.

Hernández añadió: “Será para residentes cuyos padres solo hablan español; será para personas que nunca habían sido el público objetivo de las noticias hiperlocales. Será para quienes la información local nunca había tenido ninguna relevancia”.

Para leer la edición inaugural de College Park Aqui y Ahora, consulte la página 13.

La editora jefa Sharon O’Malley colaboró en la elaboración de este artículo.

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apercibidos, según el concejal de la ciudad Jacob Hernández (Distrito 1), quien estuvo entre los más de 50 miembros de la comunidad que asistieron al evento de entrega de zapatos deportivos.

“Ha ido más allá para asegurarse de que está brindando un alcance significativo”, dijo Hernández. “Estoy muy orgulloso de la capacidad del director Johnson para construir relaciones en la comunidad local”. Con una gran población de estudiantes latinos en la escuela, Johnson dijo que trabaja para apoyar a la comunidad de habla hispana organizando eventos que “traen... más personas que se ven y suenan como mis estudiantes a la escuela”. La escuela también ofrece clases nocturnas de inglés para padres, patrocinadas por la Universidad de Maryland. Johnson es rápido en pasar el crédito por los programas a los padres, incluyendo a aquellos que son miembros del PTO, que organiza eventos de apreciación a maestros, recaudaciones de fondos para útiles escolares, fiestas navideñas y noches de películas, dijo McLoughlin. “Tenemos un gran grupo de padres que siempre están dispuestos a lo que sea”, dijo McLoughlin. “Incluso si no pueden ofrecer su tiempo como voluntarios, tratan de donar su dinero ganado con esfuerzo”.

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Residente de College Park nueva presidenta de la Cámara de Delegados de Maryland

Por SHARON O’MALLEY

La exconcejala de la ciudad de College Park, Joseline PeñaMelnyk, prestó juramento el 16 de diciembre como la presidenta número 109 de la Cámara de Delegados de Maryland y presidió su primera sesión legislativa el 14 de enero.

Peña-Melnyk, representante demócrata que se convirtió en la segunda mujer presidenta y la primera afrolatina en ocupar este cargo, reside en College Park Woods y ha servido como delegada del Distrito 21 desde que asumió funciones en enero de 2007.

“He vivido en Maryland durante más de 30 años”, dijo Peña-Melnyk durante su discurso de aceptación ante un gran recinto en Annapolis. “Este estado me ha moldeado tanto como mis experiencias me han moldeado a mí”.

Peña-Melnyk reemplaza a la presidenta saliente Adrienne A. Jones, del condado de Baltimore, quien ocupó esta posición durante casi siete años y dejó la presidencia en diciembre. Jones, primera mujer y primera afroamericana en ese puesto en la historia de Maryland, es delegada desde 1997 y conservará su lugar en la Cámara.

Durante su discurso, PeñaMelnyk describió a Jones como “firme, valiente y con un compromiso inquebrantable con el pueblo de Maryland”.

Peña-Melnyk también recordó a sus colegas y a otros testigos de la ceremonia que “mi viaje no comenzó en estas cámaras. Comenzó en la República Dominicana, en una pequeña casa de madera con techo de hojalata, con agujeros por donde entraba la lluvia. Cuando llovía, mi familia colocaba ollas y sartenes alrededor de la casa para recoger las gotas que caían”.

“Este momento no solo me pertenece a mí, sino a cada niño que recoge agua lluvia en una olla”, añadió.

Peña-Melnyk, quien se presentó sin oposición para el cargo de presidenta, se definió a sí misma como una líder “inclusiva”.

“La fortaleza de esta Cámara nunca ha dependido de los acuerdos unánimes”, dijo, resaltando su intención en colaborar tanto con demócratas como con republicanos.

La presidenta saliente del Co-

mité de Salud y Operaciones

Gubernamentales de la Cámara de Representantes, Peña Melnyk, abogada, trabajó como asistente del fiscal del distrito para la Fiscalía General de los Estados Unidos. En 2003, ganó su escaño en el Municipio de College Park, donde prestó servicio hasta que se convirtió en miembro de la Asamblea General en 2007.

Peña-Melnyk ha trabajado junto al senador estatal Jim Rosapepe y el delegado Ben Barnes, ambos también obtuvieron su cargo en 2007, y con la delegada Mary Lehman, que representa al Distrito 21 desde 2019.

El Distrito 21 incluye a College Park, Beltsville, Adelphi y algunas partes de Laurel y Greenbelt, así como también parte del condado de Anne Arundel. Lehman, quien nominó a Peña-Melnyk para el puesto de presidenta, describió a su colega como una “servidora pública incansable que ha entregado el 100 % en su labor como delegada durante casi 20 años”.

Peña-Melnyk animó a Lehman, quien en su momento se desempeñó como su jefa de gabi-

nete, a postularse para un cargo público.

“Ella ve en los demás lo que ellos mismos no alcanzan a ver y los impulsa a ser lo mejor de sí mismos”, dijo Lehman. “Qué gran recorrido para quien se describe a sí misma como una isleña de la República Dominicana”.

Peña-Melnyk fue la única candidata a la presidencia tras el retiro de sus tres posibles contendientes, lo que dejó el camino libre para su elección.

Uno de ellos fue Barnes, quien también reside en College Park y que afirmó que la nueva presidenta “pone alma y corazón en todo lo que hace y considera a sus votantes como familia, y así mismo lo hace con las personas de esta Cámara de Delegados”.

Peña-Melnyk resaltó que uno de los principales desafíos de la Cámara en la próxima sesión, que empezó el 14 de enero, será abordar “los serios retos de presupuesto, los cuales enfrentaremos con honestidad y disciplina”, y “proteger a las familias trabajadoras… Mi experiencia me guiará con compromiso y equidad. Lucharé por todos, sin importar de dónde vengan”.

¿Cuáles son sus principales prioridades para esta sesión legislativa?

Mis principales prioridades son la asequibilidad, la responsabilidad y la oportunidad. Las familias en todo Maryland están bajo una gran presión — por el aumento de la renta, los costos de la atención médica y las facturas de servicios públicos, así como por la pérdida de empleos y los recortes federales. Estamos enfocados en asegurar que la gente pueda permitirse vivir aquí, que el gobierno use los fondos de manera responsable y que todas las familias — sin importar de dónde vengan — tengan una oportunidad justa de construir una buena vida en Maryland.

Al mismo tiempo, estamos comprometidos a proteger a nuestras comunidades de acciones federales dañinas que crean miedo e inestabilidad, especialmente en las familias inmigrantes.

¿Qué asuntos específicos del distrito planea abordar?

En el Condado de Prince George’s y el sur de Maryland, las familias trabajan duro, pero siguen luchando con el alto costo de la vivienda, el cuidado infantil, el transporte y la atención médica. Las familias inmigrantes también enfrentan miedo e incertidumbre sobre su seguridad y estabilidad. Seguiré luchando por:

• Vivienda asequible para que las familias puedan quedarse en sus comunidades

• Escuelas públicas sólidas que sirvan a todos los niños

• Transporte confiable para que las personas puedan ir al trabajo y a la escuela

• Acceso a atención médica

• Políticas que aseguren que todos los residentes — sin importar su estatus migratorio — puedan vivir con dignidad y sin miedo

¿Cómo debe la legislatura estatal abordar el aumento del costo de vida, especialmente las facturas de servicios públicos?

Las facturas de servicios públicos no deberían sentirse como una apuesta cada mes. Las familias no deberían tener que elegir entre pagar la calefacción, comprar comida o comprar medicinas.

Vamos a:

• Evitar que las compañías de servicios públicos pasen costos innecesarios — como bonos ejecutivos o gastos corporativos — a los consumidores

• Fortalecer las protecciones al consumidor

• Ampliar herramientas como la facturación presupuestada y los programas de asistencia

• Invertir en energía limpia y almacenamiento de baterías para que los costos de energía sean más estables y asequibles con el tiempo

• Nuestro objetivo es simple: facturas de energía justas y predecibles que las familias puedan planificar.

¿Cómo debe la legislatura abordar el financiamiento escolar este año?

Nuestras escuelas públicas son el corazón de nuestras comunidades. La educación fue la clave que me abrió muchas puertas, y sé de primera mano lo poderosa que puede ser para formar el futuro de un niño. Por eso, incluso en un año presupuestario difícil, estamos comprometidos a proteger la educación para que cada estudiante tenga la oportunidad de salir adelante.

Seguiremos revisando el presupuesto en los próximos años, pero por ahora nuestra prioridad es la estabilidad para los estudiantes, los maestros y las familias, para que nuestras escuelas sigan siendo lugares de oportunidad, crecimiento y esperanza.