Town Center Walk With Police Chief & Commander

Community Walk and Talk
With Prince George's County
Chief of Police Melvin High
and
District 6 Commander Maj. Gary Cunningham

Wed, August 22
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Meet at Town Center Route 197 & Contee Rd for a walk through nearby neighborhoods (MAP)

You are invited to join neighbors in a walk and talk with Prince George's County Police Chief Chief Melvin High and Laurel-Beltsville Police District 6 Commander Maj. Gary Cunningham along with other Prince George's County officials and agency representatives.

“Our goal is to heighten awareness and show a partnership of commitment. We need the help of the community and this is a great way to personally meet members of the community to address their concerns,” -- Chief High.

For more information, call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Press Information Office at (301) 772-4710.

Back to Los Tios TexMex & Grill in Crystal Plaza

Download just the Coupon
The "Los Tios Pizzeria & Grill" that opened September 26 at Crystal Plaza has been renamed (back) to "Los Tios TexMex & Grill". They no longer offer Pizza. They do have a very nice menu of TexMex food. Here's what i scanned off their current menu (so the layout and any typos are mine). For Vegetarians (if not for Vegans) there are even some meatless dishes, like the Enchiladas Monterrey, which i liked. I hope they will add a nice Xango to their dessert menu.

Los Tios TexMex & Grill
Sunday - Thursday 11:30am - 9:30pm
Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 10:30pm
(301) 776-6550
12617 Laurel Bowie Rd.
Laurel, MD 20708 (Map)

Appetizers
Sampler Especial $11.95
Grilled jumbo shrimps, Grilled chicken quesadilla Chicken wings, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream

Grilled Quesadilla $6.95
Grilled chicken or beef, Flour tortilla, filled with melted Cheese served with pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream

Taquitos $6.95
Grilled beef or chicken rolled in a com tortilla fried, served with taquito sauce, topped with cheese, guacamole and sour cream

Buffalo Wings
Los Tios' famous Buffalo style wings with choice of Hot, Mild, or Plain.
(10 pcs) $6.95
(20 pcs) $12.95
(50 pcs) $28.95

Lunch Special
Taco al Carbon $6.95
2 Beef or chicken tacos served with lettuce and tomato

2 Soft Taeos $6.95
Choice of beef or chicken served with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream

Enchiladas & Tacos $5.95
Choice of beef or chicken served with rice and beans

Carne Asada $8.95
Grilled steak served with pico de gallo, rice and beans

Entrees
Camarones Rellenos $12.95
Jumbo Shrimps stuffed with crab meat and served with rice and vegetables

Pescado Frito $9.95
Salvadoran style whole pan fried seasoned tilapia
Served with rice, beans and salad

Polio Asado $9.95
Grilled chicken breast with rice, beans, pica de gallo and guacamole

Polio Encebollado $9.95
Chicken breast sauteed in garlic butter and ranchera sauce, smothered with onion, green peppers, and tomatoes

Fajitas $9.95
Grilled chicken, beef, or mixed served with pico de gallo and guacamole

Rib Eye Steak $14.95
100z of grilled rib eye steak, served with rice, salad, pico de gallo

Beverages
Horchata $1.95
Ensalada de Fruta $1.95
12oz can soda $1.25
Bottled water (1 liter) $1.25
Fountain soda (refills) $1.95

Desserts
Flan $2.95
Cheese Cake $2.95
Fruit Bowl $3.95

Burritos
Beef Burrito $8.95
Shredded beef rolled in a flour tortilla, topped with fresh home made enchilada sauce and melted cheese garnished with rice and beans

Chicken Burrito $8.95
A flour tortilla stuffed with chunks of chicken breast, beans lettuce, tomatores, cheese and avocados, topped with ranchera sauce and melted cheese served with rice and beans

Santa Fe Burrito $11.95
Chunks of skirt steak rolled in a flour tortilla, topped with home made enchilada suce and melted cheese served with rice and beans

Twins Burrito $9.95
Two burritos, one filled with chicken topped with tomatillo sauce and cheese, the other filled with beef toped with enchilada sauce and melted cheese, served with rice and beans

Enchiladas
Enchiladas Verdes $8.95
Corn tortilla stuffed with shredded beef and covered with our tomatillo sauce and melted cheese served with rice and beans

Enchiladas Monterrey $8.95
Corn tortilla filled with cheese topped with more cheese and ranchera sauce served with rice and beans

Enchiladas Super De Polio $8.95
Corn tortilla stuffed with chunks of tender chicken rolled and topped with enchilada sauce, melted cheese, garnished with sliced avocados and sour cream served with rice and beans

Trios Enchiladas $8.95
Chicken, beef and cheese enchilada served with rice and beans

Prince George's Co. Students Get Free Bus Rides

Metro [and the Prince George's County-run system TheBus] will give free bus rides to school-age children on weekdays between 2 and 7 p.m. in Prince George's County starting Aug. 20, the first day of public school in the county ... Rest of Washington Post article

Los Tios Pizzeria & Grill Opened Sep 26

The brand new Los Tios Pizzeria & Grill restaurant has opened in Crystal Plaza at the 12617 Laurel-Bowie Rd. location of the former J's Sports Cafe, apparently starting Wednesday night, September 26.

Their menu in the window and the above coupon show Pizza, Subs, Pasta, Salads, Chicken Wings, Chicken Tenders, Hamburgers, French Fries, Bread Sticks, Nachos, Ice Cream, Sodas, Ice Tea, etc., but other than Nachos there is not (yet) any Tex-Mex food as hinted by their earlier banner "Los Tios Tex-Mex". But it is still early days, yet. They offer Dine-In, Carry-Out and Delivery Service at (301) 776-6550. (Map)

The coupon shows their current hours of operation as:

• Sun - Thurs: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
• Fri & Sat: 11:30 am - 11:00 pm
  

The coupon also mentions:

• Arcade games
• Watch Sports on 24 TVs
• Birthdays
• Corporate Parties
  

Watch this space for more information about the new Los Tios Pizzeria & Grill in Crystal Plaza.

Pizzeria could replace J's Cafe in Crystal Plaza

South Laurel residents say they are keeping an eye on J’s Sport Café, the former violence-prone nightclub, as its owner announces plans to remake it into a pizzeria.

The pizzeria would deliver and sell California-style pizzas with pineapple, mango, chicken and other less-traditional toppings in addition to regular pies, said Kim, who expects to have use-and-occupancy and health permits in hand this week.

Read the rest of this July 26, 2007 Laurel Gazette article

This and earlier information about the now closed J's Cafe is archived at J's Sports Cafe under NEWS on southlaurel.blogspot.com

National Night Out August 7

Police District 6 National Night Out Tuesday, August 7, at 6 pm - 8 pm at District 6 Station, 4321 Sellman Rd, Beltsville, MD next to the Beltsville Library.

Click image to enlarge.

WITH A FREE COOK OUT SPONSORED BY LOCAL BUSINESSES

In addition to fostering police-community partnerships, one of the main objectives of National Night Out is to displace the opportunity for crime simply by residents coming outdoors together -- on our streets, sidewalks, and front yards -- to reclaim our neighborhoods, at least on that night, and as often as possible throughout the year, and to otherwise raise crime-prevention awareness.

Residents are encouraged not only to attend this Police District 6 event to get to know our neighborhood police officers and learn about police department crime fighting activities, but also simply to gather in our own neighborhoods, such as an outdoor barbecue, picnic, potluck, whatever, with or without a specific crime prevention theme.

At a minimum, all residents are encouraged to keep our front porch and rear house lights turned on at night and to secure our homes and cars, especially on National Night Out to show unity within our community, but also every other night, to reduce the opportunities for crime.

Here's a MAP and directions to the Police District 6 Station

For more information about this nation-wide event, see the National Night Out web site

Here are some other crime prevention materials you might find helpful.

Here is the event flyer as a down-loadable PDF or PNG file for printing and posting throughout our community.

J's Cafe to become Los Tios Tex Mex & Grill ?

On May 31, 2007 the Laurel Leader reported that Alex Kim, one of J's owners, said they plan to open a Lighthouse Steak and Seafood restaurant at the site later this summer in Crystal Plaza, South Laurel. Today, there is a sign for "Los Tios Tex Mex & Grill" covering where the J's Cafe sign used to be. Nothing more is known at this time.

Graffiti Removal

This past Saturday afternoon about 25 citizens came out to assist Prince George's County Police District 6 (Beltsville/Laurel) Special Assignment Team officers remove graffiti on public property across District 6. Volunteers included citizens of Beltsville and South Laurel, community representatives on the Police District 6 Citizens Advisory Council and South Laurel Community Association Leaders network, P.G. County Volunteer Fire Department Station 31 (Beltsville), Boy Scout Troop 1033 (Beltsville). Police District 1 officers assisted.

Doc's Grille Opens in Crystal Plaza

Doc's Grille is now open in Crystal Plaza, run by the owner of the nearby Subway. Doc's Grille features
high quality hamburgers & hot dogs, fries, cheese fries, onion rings, cookies, hand-dipped milkshakes, and ice cream scoops. Doc's Grille website & menu.

J's Sports Cafe to open without liquor license

According to "News Briefs" on page 8 of the May 31, 2007 Laurel Leader...

QUOTE (EXCERPT)
The owners of J's Sports Cafe on Route 197 will not appeal the Prince George's County Board of License Commissioner's May 2 decision to revoke the controversial club's liquor license.

Alex Kim, one of J's owners, said they plan to open a Lighthouse Steak and Seafood restaurant at the site later this summer [in Crystal Plaza, South Laurel].

"We want to open a nice family restaurant that people in the immediate area can come to who don't want to go to places on Route 1", Kim said.
END OF EXCERPT

Read the full Laurel Leader article (May 31, 2007)

Cameron's Seafood at Crystal Plaza

12725 Laurel Bowie Rd, Laurel - (301) 483-8555

Rio Bar & Grill Opens May 30, 2007

Added June 1: Lunch Special Flyer
&
Any Time 10% Off Food Coupon



The Rio Bar & Grill opened today, without fanfare.

There were about 12 customers when i walked in at 9:30 pm. I wasn't in the mood for the $16 fillet mignon, so i ordered a tasty $8 veggie wrap and a $2 refillable diet coke.

According to the sign on the door they will be open Sunday 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm, Monday through Thursday 11 am to 11:30 pm, and Friday & Saturday 11 am to 2 am. There are pool tables and air hockey and darts and bar top video games, as well as sports channels on large screen TVs around the bar and large silent projection screens on the back wall visible from the bar and dining area. Music comes from a jukebox on the back wall.

For now they are not using the outside deck. They are still hiring wait staff and other positions.

See this link for quixotically updated news & other information about the Rio Bar & Grill (formerly the very problematic establishments Club Amazon and before that Dinosaurs).

BGE Rate "Stabilization" - Choices by June 30

I'm SOOO glad BGE electricity rates are going to be "stable" - and "only" 50% higher -- at least until the new "market rates" take our BGE electricity bills even higher than that -- and soon.

What a relief - Whew! And here we thought the only sure things were death and taxes.

Go here for the gory details and to see the choices we all have to make by June 30, 2007.

Related news and analysis (updated quixotically)

J's Sports Cafe & Sunrise Sports Bar Update

At today's May 22 Administrative Voting Session there were no surprises. The Liquor Board voted 5-0 in both cases to approve the wording of letters they will be sending out shortly to all Parties of Record publishing the Board's findings in fact and law in support of the decisions taken at the May 2 License Renewal Protest hearings for J's Sports Cafe in Crystal Plaza in South Laurel (not to renew the license, which now expires on May 31) and Sunrise Restaurant and Sports Bar in Sunrise Plaza in Beltsville, (to renew the license conditioned by the agreement made with the community).

Also of nearby interest from that Liquor Board meeting:
Sullivan's Steak & Beverage on Rt 198 at Rt 197 was approved to offer "entertainment (no dancing)" on up to 4 days a week -- apparently music and events like Cinco de Mayo, pending further specification to the Liquor Board of the actual hours for which that entertainment would be provided.

Liquor Board Letter Denying J's Cafe License

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

May 4, 2007

Granville Templeton, Esquire
10 N. Calvert Street, Suite 930
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

RE: t/a J's Cafe Class B, BLX, Beer, Wine and Liquor

Dear Mr. Templeton:

During Regular Session on May 2,2007, the Board of License Commissioners met regarding the above captioned.

After receiving a protest against the renewal of this alcoholic beverage license, the Board of License Commissioners held a hearing on May 2, 2007, pursuant to Article 2B, Section 10-302 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. At that hearing, the Board heard testimony and received evidence from the licensee, applicant, citizens of Prince George's County opposed to the renewal and from it's own inspection staff.

Pursuant to Section 10-401 of Article 2B, ten residents who live in the vicinity of the licensed establishment can institute a protest against the renewal of an alcoholic beverage license. Applying the law to the facts, the Board denied the renewal of the Class B, BLX, Beer, Wine and Liquor license for 2007-2208. Findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the denial of the alcoholic beverage license will be formulated at the Administrative Voting Session of May 22,2007.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Sincerely yours,

Franklin D. Jackson
Chairman

(Image of letter in PDF)

WSSC, There They Go Again

Lightning does strike twice in the same place, and so does the WSSC. Sometime before 3:30 pm Tuesday afternoon May 8, the second time since January 4, a contract crew working for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission abandoned work in progress in the west-bound lane of the 9700-block of Murkirk Rd (near Montpelier Mansion), leaving a dangerous tank trap 6 feet long, 10 feet across, and 4 inches deep -- without any traffic control barriers, signs or cover plates. See pictures below

A cast-iron pipe stuck up 8 inches above street level -- but not for long. One of the first cars to fall into that hole clipped off the cast-iron pipe, which severely damaged the car's axle, according to the young driver who can't afford to get his car fixed because he can only afford the legally required liability insurance (to protect other drivers) not collision insurance to protect himself.

One resident spent 3 hours waving at cars coming at speed from the very nearby Rt. 197 intersection, to slow them down to avoid further vehicle damage or personal injury. He called WSSC and DPW&T but after over one hour no one had responded to the scene. Then he called County Councilman Dernoga's office. After Dernoga's office called WSSC, the WSSC finally sent out a work crew to assess the situation and then sent a second truck which covered the excavation with asphalt by 6 pm, before dark when the situation would surely have become even more dangerous (as it did on January 4) .

It is inconceivable that a work crew would abandon work in progress leaving such a dangerous situation -- not only once but twice at the same location. There is something seriously wrong with the standard operating procedures for WSSC's road work contractors.

If you were injured or your car damaged at that WSSC work site on May 8, most auto insurance policies will cover your damage or injury and subrogate payment by the WSSC so your deductible payment will be reimbursed to you. But if you need other compensation beyond your own insurance coverage, contact the WSSC's claims representative, Phil Sherman, 301 206-7094. If that doesn't work, contact the office of County Councilman Dernoga

Dollar Inn a Gem in Crystal Plaza

If you have not yet visited the Dollar Inn in Crystal Plaza next to Bottom Dollar, you are in for a treat. In addition to supplying your essential Hello Kitty needs and other Asian knick-knacks, they have a surprisingly robust inventory of daily necessities with "nearly everything for $1" : school supplies, electrical and electronic thing-a-ma-bobs, cell phone accessories, greeting cards, household supplies, party supplies, snacks, big $1 cold soft drinks, $2 baseball ball caps, clothes, health and personal grooming, and of course toys, etc. The Dollar Inn owners owned the Chin Tao restaurant that was burned out a few years ago by the arson at the adjacent Delaney's Irish Pizza Pub. Our community is fortunate they decided to reinvest in a new business at Crystal Plaza. They are open seven days a week, 9:30 A.M to 10:00 P.M. And they take all credit cards. So, please drop by and discover this gem in Crystal Plaza.

J's Sports Cafe Looses Liquor License

"The Prince George’s County Board of Commissioners revoked the liquor license of J’s Sports Cafe on Route 197 at a May 2 protest hearing, during which more than 50 elected officials and area residents showed up to voice their opposition to the controversial establishment." See the rest of this Laurel Leader article , May 10, 2007. Added: Laurel Gazette article May 10, 2007

Island Flavors Opens in Crystal Plaza

UPDATE - Island Flavors Closed Oct 2013

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Doc's Grille Coming to Crystal Plaza

The owner of the Subway in Crystal Plaza will open his new Doc's Grille there in a few weeks, featuring high quality hamburgers and hot dogs and related fare -- there will be no alcohol.

This new family-friendly restaurant will contribute to the growing prosperity of Crystal Plaza and South Laurel.

With Osaka Japanese Hibachi, Cameron's Seafood carry-out and the Island Flavors Caribbean restaurant and the Yums and now Doc's Grille, it looks like Crystal Plaza is becoming a desirable destination for people looking for a variety of interesting yet inexpensive dining choices.