Thu Nov 19 1 PM COPS Seniors Coffee Club Phelps Senior Services Center



The second formative meeting of the C.O.P.S. Seniors Coffee Club is at 1 PM on Thursday, November 19. This time we will meet at

Phelps Senior Services Center
701 Montgomery Street
Laurel, MD 20707 

Our first meeting was on Thursday, November 5 at the Starbucks in the Laurel Center at Contee Rd and Route 1. Ten seniors attended -- half of them from the West Laurel area of Prince George’s County.

We welcome senior citizens from throughout Prince George’s County Police District VI (map) and from City of Laurel. We discuss with the Police District VI Community Oriented Policing Services team (C.O.P.S.) and City of Laurel police officers about crime prevention and crime reporting issues of particular concern to seniors, such as personal safety, theft, consumer fraud, identify theft, and other issues raised by our members.

The Seniors Coffee Club holds informal meetings on the first and third Thursday afternoons each month, at various announced locations in Prince George's County Policed District VI and City of Laurel.

Please join us.

P.G. County Police Free Alert Messaging Service NIXEL

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT 
One Team. One Mission. Fight Crime. 

The Prince George’s County Police Department is now offering immediate information to citizens through Nixle, a trusted web-based service for police departments and other government agencies.

Through Nixle, important neighborhood-level information is provided to residents in a standardized, secure and certified manner: via the web, email or mobile text message services (*). Nixel uses social networking technology similar to Twitter and Facebook.

To learn more about Nixle and to sign up to receive information from the Prince George’s County Police Department, through Nixle, regarding public safety matters in your community go to nixle.com

(*) Standard text messaging fees may apply, depending on your mobile phone service plan.

Nov 14 County-wide Youth Explosion
at Eleanor Roosevelt HS


Click image to enlarge to view or print.
MAP
Tell or Text Your Friends
J.MP/youthexplosion

Powder Mill Road work: Beltsville Dr to Allview Dr until Summer

UPDATE Nov 10, 2009:
According to information received from a business near the construction area (who kindly provided this SHA Announcement) and my own observation this afternoon, apparently one or more lanes will be kept open during construction on that portion of Powder Mill Rd.

ROUTE 212 WIDENING: Work is scheduled to begin this week (Nov 9) on a $1.2M road widening project along a half mile of Route 212 on Powder Mill Road between Evans Trail Way/Allview Drive and Beltsville Drive in Beltsville. 

Some Powder Mill Road lanes will be closed on weekdays between 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and overnight Sundays through Thursdays from 9:00 PM to 500 AM.  Construction is scheduled to last until next summer.  (map) Dr. Gridlock, Washington Post Nov 8, 2009
(Thanks to Karen M.)

Nov 21 Dernoga Thanksgiving Party for Charities

UPDATE: 
Note from 2010 candidate for District 1 County Council Representative, Mary Lehman:
If you appreciate organizations that do the good but often thankless work in our communities that makes life better for the poor and homeless, here's a chance to honor them and educate yourself and your kids about their efforts. This is a FREE and wonderful pre-Thanksgiving event to remind us of what really matters, how to make a difference, and why we have so many reasons to be grateful for our own blessings. I will be there with my kids, and I hope you will, too
.
Fondly, Mary Lehman


Click image to enlarge.



Sat Nov 14 Free E-Cycling and Document Shredding Event 8 am - 1 pm

The Prince George's County Department of Environmental Resources (DER) invites County citizens and residents to participate in a free E- Cycling and Document Shredding Event on


Saturday, November 14, 2009 
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
High Point High School
3601 Powder Mill Road
Beltsville

"With identity theft and fraud crimes on the rise, this event provides our County citizens and residents an opportunity to safely dispose of their confidential documents," said, DER Director Charles W. Wilson. "In addition, citizens and residents can help the environment by dropping off their old, unwanted electronics equipment and televisions for recycling."

  • Residents can bring up to five tall kitchen bags or five archive boxes filled with documents to be destroyed by mobile shredding trucks at the event.  
  • Acceptable items for e-Cycling include personal computer or component parts, inkjet and toner cartridges, mainframes, surge protectors, cell phones, laptop computers, computer mice, circuit boards, copiers, telephone systems, CD players, keyboards, computer speakers, fax machines, cable, radios and stereos, printers, scanners, pagers, VCRs and televisions.  
 This event is restricted to non- commercial vehicles, ¾ ton maximum weight.

For more information on the E-Cycling and Document Shredding Event or other recycling initiatives, call DER's Recycling Team at (301) 883- 5045

Muirkirk Rd Water Main Break Nov 5, 2009















Sometime before noon, Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 a water main broke in the middle of Muirkirk Rd inside Montpelier Hills, just east of Sea Pearl Ct. By 2 pm WSSC crews were digging up the road to begin to effect repairs. The two center lanes will probably be closed during repairs -- two-way traffic continues using the outer lanes. There are no flagmen. The second photo shows water coming out of a street light pole at the electrical connection box, so there may also be reduced street lighting tonight night and until repairs are completed. Even after utility trucks and equipment leave, caution should be exercised in the center lanes because in the past road repair crews have left dangerous, unfiilled excavations overnight in this area of Muirkirk Rd. See:

Aug 21, 2008 WSSC Water Line Break on Muirkirk

Jan 14, 2007 Citizens Mitigate Dangerous Excavation on Muirkirk 

Nov 11 7 pm Climate Change Science Update - Greenbelt

GCAN logo

Wonderfully Entertaining and Informative 
Slideshow and Discussion!
Greenbelt's Fifth Annual
Global Warming Science Update with 
Dr. Chris Barnet (bio)
Wed., November 11,  7:00 pm
Greenbelt Community Center, Room 114
15 Crescent Road. Greenbelt, MD

Thu Nov 5 1-3 PM - First Seniors' Coffee Club
with PG District VI C.O.P.S.

First Formative Meeting of the Seniors' Coffee Club
With 
Prince George's County Police District VI 
Community Oriented Policing Officers (COPs)
Thursday, November 5, 1-3 PM
At Starbucks
13600 Baltimore Ave, #308, Laurel, MD 20707
(MAP) 

Oct 9 & 10 St. Nicholas Fall Bazaar

Oct 18 Montpelier Arts Center 30-Year Gala

Montpelier Arts Center 30th Anniversary

Montpelier Arts Center Calendar Sep - Dec 2009

Montpelier Arts Center
- 30 Years of Art, 1979-2009

Your browser may not support display of this image.9652 Muirkirk Road Laurel, MD 20708 {MAP]

Your browser may not support display of this image.(301) 377–7800 (410) 792–0664

Celebrate 30 years of art at Montpelier, 1979-2009!

Open Studios, Awards, Music by the Montpelier Jazz All Stars!

Refreshments, Free, and Open to the public.

Date: October 18, 2009

Hours: 12 noon – 5 pm



Rio Sports Bar Sign Says Coming Soon Now Hiring

Update Saturday Nov 21, 2009: Since sometime before 2 pm Rio's electric sign is on again, with this wording: Coming Soon ... Rio Sports Lounge ... Now Hiring ... 
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Update Tuesday Nov 17, 2009: Since sometime before 10:45 am Rio's electric sign is dark again.
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Update Monday Nov 16, 2009: Since sometime before 4:45 pm Rio's electric sign is on again, with essentially the same wording as before.
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Update Monday Nov 9, 2009: Since sometime before 2:30 pm Rio's electric sign is dark again.
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Update Sunday Nov 8, 2009: Some time before 9:30 pm Rio's electric sign has been operating again with essentially the same wording as before.
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Update Nov 3, 2009:  The sign operated for a few days after Oct 3, but appears mostly dark since then.
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The new electric sign for Rio Sports Lounge (behind Sakura Restaurant in Contee Station on the east side of Route 1 near Contee Rd) became active on or before Saturday, Oct 3, saying, to the best of my recollection, inter alia: "Rio Restaurant and Sports Lounge -- Coming Soon -- Now Hiring -- NFL 2009".

For background see J.MP/riostory .

Oct 15 County Citizens' Priorities Forum

From press release ...

Come tell us your priorities and hopes for Prince George’s County

YOU ARE INVITED!

Prince George’s County non-partisan public forum to identify the priorities of our citizens and our county.

We will listen to you as we collectively create a list of priorities to collaborate on behalf of our County.

Please come and share your priorities with County Leaders.

Your opinion and input matters!

Some topics to focus your comments on:

  • Economic Development Healthcare/Human Care Public Safety
  • Education Housing Transportation
  • Environment/Energy Local Government Funding Other
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: First Baptist Church of Glenarden 301-773-3600
3600 Brightseat Rd, Landover, MD 20785 [MAP]

Sponsored by:
Prince George’s County Executive Jack B. Johnson
Prince George’s Maryland State Senate Delegation
Prince George’s Maryland State House Delegation
Prince George’s County Council
State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey
Sheriff Michael Jackson

Moderated by: Sheila Stewart; WKYS

"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” - President Thomas Jefferson

Oct 3 County Green Fest - PG Community College

Click on images to enlarge.


Please download this PDF flyer to print or distribute.

Oct 3 Homeless Resource Day Volunteers Needed

Click image to enlarge

Volunteers are needed to make this a successful event to help many people. Please see this Homeless Resource Day Volunteer Form for details about the 2-hour volunteer training sessions on Sep 21 (new Carrollton), Sep 22 (Laurel & Oxon Hill) and Sep 26 (Capitol Heights)

Dutch Country Market Now Open in South Laurel

Find additional parking in the back
by driving around the right side of the building.

Steward Village Center
9701 Fort Meade Rd.
Laurel, MD 20707

Hours:
Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to 6: p.m.
Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.

New Laurel City Programs Include County Youth

The following programs are sponsored by the Laurel Department of Parks and Recreation:

Now that fall is here, the Community Centers in Laurel are back in business for their afterschool programs. Youth and teens can drop in to the Laurel Armory, 422 Montgomery Street for after school play, Monday through Friday 3:30-4:45 p.m. for ages 8-12 and 4:45-6:00 p.m. for ages 13-17. The gymnasium is open for basketball, the lounge is a great place to start your homework or hang out for a game of pool or air-hockey fun and new this year is our second floor gaming lounge. Challenge yourself or your friends to a game on one of our two gaming systems in high def! Look for upcoming activities in the gaming lounge.

Youth and Teens can also use their passes for the afterschool drop in program at the Robert J. Dipietro Community Center on Cypress Street. The cost is $10 a year for City residents and $30 a year for non-residents. Teens can also use their annual pass for the Weekend Teen Center 7-10 p.m., Friday nights at the Laurel Community Center or Saturday nights at the Armory. For information call 301-725-7800 or visit www.laurel.md.us .
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Bring your “A” game to the Laurel Department of Parks and Recreation’s Laurel Armory Community Center at 422 Montgomery Street on Sunday, October 25, 2009, 10:00am – 4:00pm! Youth and teens can challenge each other in a FREE Madden ’10 tournament in the new second floor gaming lounge. Between games, discover all the exciting activities the Armory has to offer. Play some ping pong or basketball in the gym then head over to the lounge and bust out the cue sticks for a game of pool or a game of air-hockey. The NFL games will be on in the gymnasium, and in the lounge. Wear your team’s colors and join us for a day of football fun! Tournament registration will be held from 10-11:30am on the day of the event. Kick-off will be at noon. For information call 301-725-8088 or visit www.laurel.md.us .
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Yu-Gi-Oh anyone? The Laurel Armory Community Center at 422 Montgomery Street is now the home of Laurel’s Yu-Gi-Oh club. This free club is open to all levels of play and meets on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Bring a friend and your own cards and hang out every Tuesday night at the Armory and let the dueling commence! For information call 301-725-8088 or visit www.laurel.md.us .
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Tue Sep 1, 7 pm - Swine Flu Public Health Meeting

Based on an email today from Beltsville Community Association President, Karen Coakley (Aug 29, 2009) ...

Bring a friend, Bring a Neighbor ... pass this on to your contacts please. Karen

The City of Laurel, the Prince George's County Health Department and Dimensions Health Care will hold a public meeting to discuss the H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at the Phelps Senior Citizens Center located at 701 Montgomery Street in Laurel. (MAP)

At this meeting the representatives from the mentioned agencies will present information on the H1N1 virus including, preparing for the possibility of an outbreak of the virus, what actions you can take to try to avoid contracting the virus and what to do if you contract the virus.

Information handouts on the virus and disaster preparedness will be available at this meeting.

Please take advantage of this. Having prior knowledge of what to do in a potential health crisis is your best defense.

Should you have any questions please contact City of Laurel, Martin Flemion or Calvin Hawkins, at (301) 725-5300.

Sep 13 St. Nicholas Parish Picnic

Aug 19 7 pm Community Meeting Beltsville VFD

UPDATE Aug 28, 2009: Gazette.net article recaps meeting
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Councilman Dernoga's email below describes recent disruptive changes in Prince George's County Fire & Rescue Station staffing that might affect us in South Laurel.

This problem affects not just Fire & Rescue services in the Beltsville area, but also the South Laurel area, because South Laurel is contiguous to Beltsville and fire/rescue stations in each area respond in support of the other area.

Please consider attending this public meeting with the Prince George's County Fire Department and Councilman Dernoga

Aug 19 7 pm at the Beltsville VFD station (4911 Prince Georges Ave, Beltsville, MD). MAP

This is our oppportunity to recognize our interdependence with the adjacent Beltsville community and to also visibly show our support for them, just like the Beltsville community has repeatedly shown support for us in South Laurel by participating in our opposition and testimony at Liquor Board hearings against the violent bars in South Laurel, like J's Cafe, Sweet Moon Grille, Dinosaurs, Starlight, Club Amazon and Rio Bar and Grille.

Thanks
gary stone


FORWARDED

From: Dernoga, Thomas E.
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:41 AM
Subject: Statement on Fire Dept Staffing Changes - Notice of Community Meeting (BCA) on Aug 19th at 7pm at Beltsville VFD
Importance: High

Proposed Fire Station Staffing Changes

I am writing to address the recently announced staffing changes to fire stations in Beltsville/Calverton and other parts of the County that may affect public safety service. Like you, I found out about the changes on Monday from a Press Release and from News stories. Other Council members found out the same way. I do not believe that this is the way a public safety matter of this import should have been handled.

The Fire Department Press Release (LINK) stated the following:

The following Fire/EMS Stations will have adjustments made to their present staffing levels:

• Calverton Fire/EMS Station #841 - The staffing will be moved to provide additional staffing to the nearby Beltsville Fire/EMS Station #831. This will allow the same number of Fire/EMS personnel to run multiple units with sufficient staffing out of one station and reducing the need for overtime when someone takes off on leave. Calverton Fire/EMS Station #841’s central focus will be running the Hazardous Materials resources currently assigned there.

Also impacted are: the Chillum Fire/EMS Station, the Capitol Heights Fire/EMS Station and the Riverdale Heights Fire/EMS Station.

Fortunately, on Monday I was able to speak with the Beltsville VFD leadership and then with Fire Chief Eugene Jones. I also spoke with the leadership of the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Assn. After speaking with Fire Chief Jones and with the Beltsville VFD leadership, the Fire Chief was agreeable to finding a compromise with the Volunteers. The Beltsville VFD worked out a reasonable compromise - not that they are pleased with it - and both stations will stay open.

No one liked the original proposal (above) and people have been very unhappy with how it has been implemented. The compromise will force the Beltsville VFD volunteers to pick up even more responsibility. They will do an exemplary job, but it will be a strain.

The impetus is simple economics – the Fire Chief (who is new) has been budgeting almost no overtime to spend. In the past, the Fire Department has been poorly managed with a limitless amount of overtime in order to keep career staff on the job in every station. The County government has grown accustomed to keeping everyone in the Stations; however, this staffing was based heavily on overtime. At least, at this point, while there are still problems to address, the compromise position is more acceptable than the Chief’s proposal.


Finally, I have worked with Karen Coakley, President of the Beltsville Citizens Association, to arrange a special Association meeting so that Fire Chief Jones can explain the situation and the reasons behind his decisions.

The special meeting will be on August 19th at 7pm at the Beltsville VFD station (4911 Prince Georges Ave, Beltsville, MD). ALL are invited to attend. It is important for Fire Chief Jones to hear the concerns and for you to hear what he has to say.

I will be there to hear the citizens and then we will see what options there are. If you have questions that you would like to present in advance, please for it to me or to my Aide, Judy Thacher.


Tom Dernoga, Vice Chair
Prince George's County Council

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