The Message. Mount Rainier Day By Malinda Miles, Mayor C

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The Message Issue 318 MAY 2014 Mount Rainier Day 2014 By Malinda Miles, Mayor C ome out and join your neighbors and friends on Saturday, May 17th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is an all-day fun event for families, friends and relatives!

The parade route will begin at the Mount Rainier Nature and Recreation Center turn right onto Arundel Road; left on 30 th Street; left on Upshur, down Rainier Avenue, right on 34 th, around the

1 The Message Issue 318 MAY 2014 Mount Rainier Day 2014 By Malinda Miles, Mayor C ome out and join your neighbors and friends on Saturday, May 17th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is an all-day fun event for families, friends and relatives! The festivities will take place along Rhode Island Avenue at the Municipal Plaza. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will begin at the Mount Rainier Nature Center. The parade will line up at 9:00am. The parade route will begin at the Mount Rainier Nature and Recreation Center turn right onto Arundel Road; left on 30 th Street; left on Upshur, down Rainier Avenue, right on 34 th, around the circle, down Perry, and finally left on 36 street, and will fall out on Rhode Island Avenue. The Largo High School Marching Band, Will participate again this year. The Kid s Corner on Perry Street will include the moon bounce, cotton candy, popcorn, and a lot more. Chubzzy the Clown will be in his usual spot painting faces and making animals out of the balloons. There are free souvenir cups for the first 1,000 participants, so stop by the Mount Rainier Day Festival Committee table for your stadium cup. To raise fund to support this year s activities, the Mount Rainier Day Festival Committee will also be holding raffles. A $1 raffle for ten (10) $25 gift cards, and a $5 50/50 raffle. Drawings for the gift cards will be announced and held every hour or so. The final raffle (1 ticket for $5 or 2 tickets for $8) will be for a 32 inch color television. You must be present to win for all of the raffles. In addition to the raffles, the City will be providing transportation all day long. For your convenience and to reduce the need for parking, the City will have the Call-a -Bus and the Police Van circling the City. Both vehicles will make stops at Kaywood Garden Apartments, Queens Manor, Rainier Manor, Queenstown and 34 th and Bunker Hill Road. The rides are FREE, so please use them all day long. The route for the transportation service will be shared through a flyer, and will be available on cable channels 21 (Verizon), and 71 (Comcast). Please also check out the City s website for additional information. The transportation is made possible by event sponsors, Kaywood Garden Apartments through the Kay Management Team; Rainier Manor through the Humphrey Management, Queens Manor, and Queenstown Apartments. Each of these management teams contributed generously to this event, and we are forever grateful. Pepsi Cola Company also made a generous contribution of fifty (50) cases of mixed sodas and ten (10) cases of water. So, stop by and join the Pepsi Mount Rainier Day continued on page 5 IN THIS ISSUE Mayor s Message: City Budget 2 Community Happenings 3 Youth and Recreation 4 Public Works Schedule 8 MAY 2014 MESSAGE

2 Message from the Mayor: City Budget The Mayor and Council are hard at work on the FY2015 budget. As always there are lots of needs and limited funds. The Mayor and Council are struggling to keep and/or increase the level of services to the community while not raising taxes. This is a very hard task to accomplish when the needs are so great. Some of the proposals on the table include, not hiring an assistant City manager, hiring an Assistant City Manager with 60% economic responsibilities and 40% management responsibilities; hiring an assistant City manager with responsibilities for managing code enforcement (certification in code enforcement desired); hiring an economic development specialist to concentrate on development of the downtown area, and raising taxes to fund that position. There is also discussion on the table about raising taxes to generate much needed revenue, DATE Tuesday, May 6, 2014 Tuesday, May 20, 2014 Tuesday, June 3, 2013 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SPECIAL DATES Unless noted, all City Council meetings occur at 7 pm at City Hall, One Municipal Place EVENT Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council ; Second Reading and Vote on FY 2015 Budget and Constant Yield Tax Rate Work Session of the Mayor and Council Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council and to limit the amount of money that might be used out of the contingency fund to balance the budget and come up with the funds to cover some of the stated needs. No final decisions have been reached, and further discussion is scheduled for the next work session, May 6, The Constant Yield Tax Rate (CYTR) for FY 2015 is $ The constant yield tax rate is the tax rate that a jurisdiction would have to impose in order to obtain the same amount of property tax revenue in fiscal year 2015 as it received in fiscal year If a jurisdiction plans to set a tax rate higher than the Constant Yield Tax rate, the jurisdiction must advertise the tax increase and hold a public hearing before setting the tax rate for Fiscal Year The Constant Yield Tax Rate hearing was held on Tuesday, April 22, The City is facing the same crisis that our residents are facing with the rising cost of oil, gasoline, electric, BUDGET, continued on page 6 MRTV Programs appear on Comcast 71, Verizon 21, and On Demand daily. MRTV now provides a 24/7 programming schedule. Watch for the daily Program Guide for a list shows and times. LIVE Programs City Council Meetings and Work sessions, 7 pm on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. For MRTV comments, suggestions and show ideas contact staff at mrtvchannel71@yahoo.com or call Questions, comments and submissions to the Mount Rainier MESSAGE should be sent to Jeanelle Wallace City Manager, via mail at One Municipal Place, Mount Rainier, MD or via at jwallace@mountrainiermd.org. All submissions for the June 2014 MESSAGE must be received by close of business on Wednesday, May 21, Submissions received after that time will be considered on a space available basis. The Mount Rainier Message is published monthly except for the combined July-August and December-January issues. An electronic version of The Message is available at the city webpage: MAY 2014 MESSAGE 2

Community Happenings Annual Month of Peace Observed "There is no way to Peace, Peace is the way " Gandhi Peace is not for a day, or a season, it is a way of life.

Mount Rainier is loaded with peaceful people, peaceful projects and peaceful activities. Each day we can do one thing for Peace.

Peace Garden at 30th and Arundel Road Take some time do think about, learn about and practice Peace this month and may it become part of your everyday life.

3 Community Happenings Annual Month of Peace Observed "There is no way to Peace, Peace is the way " Gandhi Peace is not for a day, or a season, it is a way of life. Peace building needs to be taught, experienced, and modeled. However, we established the month of May in Mount Rainier as a time to focus, concentrate, experience, learn and practice peace. Mount Rainier is loaded with peaceful people, peaceful projects and peaceful activities. Each day we can do one thing for Peace. Mount Rainier has many peaceful projects, events and happenings: Mount Rainier Day Community Gardening Peace Camp Art Yoga, Dance and Movement Music groups Walking, Biking, Jogging Spiritual services Peace Garden at 30th and Arundel Road Take some time do think about, learn about and practice Peace this month and may it become part of your everyday life. May Peace prevail on Earth, here in Mount Rainier and all around the world. Enjoy, participate and help in building Peace right in our neighborhood. For a calendar of events visit or contact MJ at MJ Park, LFFP Streetcorner Supper Comedor Comunitario Sunday, May 17th 5 PM to 7 PM Bunker Hill Road between 34th & 33rd Streets Bring yourself & your family, friends and neighbors or just come and join us! Share your favorite potluck dish Everyone welcome! Todos son bienvenidos! For more information or to volunteer contact Sandy at Food Resource groups will table. This event is alcohol-free. Neighbors feeding neighbors to confront hunger. MAY 2014 MESSAGE 3

4 Youth & Recreation The Mount Rainier Mayor & Council Have Proclaimed Saturday, May 17th, Kids to Parks Day in Mount Rainier! Join us outdoors at Mount Rainier Day or visit one of our many local green spaces. This is the third year that Mount Rainier will be participating in the National Kids in the Park Day. In addition to supporting Mount Rainier Day, parents are encouraged to take their kids to the park for an hour of recreation and fun. National Kids to Parks Day is a day to not just connect today's youth to parks, but, hopefully, to instill in them a lifestyle healthier than sitting in front of a computer screen. The campaign is designed to support First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move Outside campaign and the Interior Department's Youth in the Great Outdoors initiative. Both programs, "aims to promote healthy lifestyles and foster an appreciation for America s magnificent national, state and local parks." This year, the featured park for activities, hot dogs and beverages is our newly renovated park on 36 th Street near Otis and Wells Avenue. This activity is being led by Ms. Markita Bryant, and is being cosponsored by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and Mayor Malinda Miles. Bring the children to see what the new park has to offer and enjoy a free hot dog and a beverage. Join Thomas Stone s PTO Thomas Stone Elementary School is reviving their Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). PTO is a group of parents, who wants to invite the community to join the committee, their goals is to assist children and their families. This is an opportunity to renew or become a member for the new revived PTO. In order to vote, you need to be a member. Membership drive will start on April 28 th until June 10th, 2014, membership is $5.00 and can be sent in an envelope addressed to the PTO in Thomas Stone Main Office, we are also accepting monetary donation from nonmembers. If you any questions please contact: Ms. T. Martin, Ms. T. Brown, Ms. J. Day-Fitts, Ms. K. Fuentes, or Ms. A. Herbert at school, or tstonepto@gmail.com. Our first community meeting would be held on: Thursday, May 15 th 6pm. The contributions made to the PTO will help us plan special and fun opportunities for students at Thomas Stone. La escuela primaria Thomas Stone está resucitando su Organización de Padres y Maestros (PTO por sus siglas en inglés). PTO es un grupo de padres que tiene el objetivo de ayudar a los niños y sus familias. Les invitamos a hacerse miembro del nuevamente resucitado PTO. Para poder votar, debe ser miembro. La campaña de membresía se lanza el 28 de abril y termina el 10 de junio del La membresía cuesta cinco dólares. Se puede entregar el dinero adentro de una sobre dirigida al PTO en la oficina principal de la escuela Thomas Stone. También se aceptan donativos de personas que no son miembros del PTO. Para más información, favor de ponerse en contacto con la Sra. T. Martin, Sra. T. Brown, Sra. J. Day-Fitts, Sra. K. Fuentes, o Sra. A. Herbert de la escuela Thomas Stone, o de mandar correo electrónico al tstonepto@gmail.com. El primer reunión comunitaria se llevará a cabo el jueves, 15 de mayo del 2014 a las seis de la noche. Los donativos para el PTO harán posible oportunidades divertidas y especiales para los alumnos de Thomas Stone. MAY 2014 MESSAGE 4

Summer Camps in the City Little Friends For Peace offers Summer Peace Camps. Peace Explorers, ages 4 to 11 yrs. and Peace Builders in Action, ages 8 to 12 yrs.

For more information contact staff at 301-454-0808 or visit artworksnow.

5 Summer Camps in the City Little Friends For Peace offers Summer Peace Camps. Peace Explorers, ages 4 to 11 yrs. and Peace Builders in Action, ages 8 to 12 yrs. For more information contact the Parks, or visit LFFP.org ARTWORKS Studio School, 3711 Rhode Island Avenue, offers Teen Camp, ages 13 and up, Camp for ages 9 to 12, Camp for Ages 5 to 8. For more information contact staff at or visit artworksnow.org Joe s Movement Emporium offers summer arts camps, from Fine Arts, Dance, Culture & Creative Movement, for various ages, June August. Financial aid available. Contact Ms. Robinson at or visit joesmovement.org. Mount Rainier Nature/ Recreation Center, offers Specialty Day Camps and is a Summer Playground location. Summer activities serve pre-school ages to teens. Contact the Nature Center staff for more information, , or visit pgparks.com Mount Rainier Day continued from page 1 Generation while picking up your stadium cup. The Mount Rainier Day Festival Committee is happy to have these sponsors for this year s event, and we hope that they will be our sponsors and partners for years to come. This year the Mount Rainier Day Festival will support the Mount Rainier Food Pantry, a newly created entity led by Rev. Brian Adam of the Mount Rainier Christian Church. If you are coming to the Festival, PLEASE bring one or two can goods to share with those most in need in our City. There will be a collection station in front of City Hall. Interested in driving the Call A Bus and/or the Police Van? Got a valid Maryland driver s license, no points, no criminal record, personal car insurance, know the City and City limits? Contact Mayor Malinda Miles via at mayormiles@gmail.com. Finally, Mount Rainier s downtown business community has been invited to put some of their wares and merchandise out on the street. That s right, they will be street vending to showcase what they have in their stores. PLEASE stop by, introduce yourself, and make a purchase. They will be glad to see you. This year s Mount Rainier Day Committee includes Janis Lomax, Officer Eddie Murphy, and Mayor Malinda Miles. Volunteers are needed. Each volunteer selected will be given a Mount Rainier Day Festival T-shirt. Please contact Ms. Lomax, if you would like to volunteer. Ms. Lomax can be reached at , Monday through Friday from 9:00a until 5:00pm. Prince George s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is accepting enrollment applications for entry into summer programs. This year's summer programs include 16 new offerings that focus on strengthening core skills in reading, mathematics, and science. Some applications are due May 12, Start times vary by program; meals and transportation will be provided at some program sites. For more information on summer programs, visit the Summer School webpage at www1.pgcps.org/ summerschool/ or call MAY 2014 MESSAGE 5

Chief s Blog Help Us Help You Be Active Neighbors There are two active Neighborhood Watch groups in the City. Local resident Rick Ruggles organizes monthly walks throughout the City.

com for more information about how to participate. You can also directly report road damage, power outages, or any other issues encountered to Public Works as you see them at www.publicstuff.

Reporting issues and crime improves how we all live in Mount Rainier. BUDGET, continued from page 2 health care, retirement, and general maintenance and upkeep.

6 Chief s Blog Help Us Help You Be Active Neighbors There are two active Neighborhood Watch groups in the City. Local resident Rick Ruggles organizes monthly walks throughout the City. Tyrese Robinson organizes activities on the south side of Rhode Island Avenue. Contact Rick Ruggles at rick@rickruggles.com and Tyrese Robinson at tjkrobinson@yahoo.com for more information about how to participate. You can also directly report road damage, power outages, or any other issues encountered to Public Works as you see them at or via phone at and SMS Text Message: Report crime to Mount Rainier Police Department directly by calling Reporting issues and crime improves how we all live in Mount Rainier. BUDGET, continued from page 2 health care, retirement, and general maintenance and upkeep. The City is striving to become more energy efficient, going green when we can, and encouraging composing and recycling as major goals that residents can help the City achieve. (NOTE: If you need a composting bin, please contact Public Works.) These rising costs are also going to impact the budget, and the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of the City. I invite you to take a moment to get a copy of our current budget, to really see what your mayor and council is working with to efficiently and effectively run the City. Let your Ward representative hear from you and your concerns regarding this year s budget, tax cuts, tax raises or whatever else you have on your mind. The window of opportunity will soon be gone, and the new budget will be implemented on July 1, At this juncture, the Mayor is opposed to raising taxes to create an economic development specialist or to delete the assistant manager position that has functioned as assistant manager, economic development and overseer for code enforcement and other activities in the City, including road construction, emergencies and other duties as required to meet the needs of the City. On that note, I am taking this opportunity to thank Mr. Michael Jackson for all of the work that he provided to the City as Assistant Manager for the past six or more years. Over those years, he wrote grants, served as the City s IT person, website developer, provided oversight for code enforcement, editor of the City s Newsletter, and a host of other job functions that were assigned from time to time. Michael landed a wonderful job at the Smithsonian, and started working there last week. He will be missed, and no matter what the budget decision is, he cannot be replaced. We thank you Michael for your hard work and dedication to Mount Rainier. MAY 2014 MESSAGE 6

7 Save Local Trees, Eradicate English Ivy English Ivy is a widespread woody vine native to Europe and western Asia often used in landscaping to decorate fences or walls. Its dark green leathery leaves make it an attractive ornamental when grown in containers, but it is invasive and escapes easily from yards. It can kill trees and shrubs by enveloping them completely, and it provides shelter for rats and mosquitoes. English Ivy can be removed by (gloved) hand. If it is on a fence, pull the vines off, and be sure to get the roots. You can recycle the nutrients in the vines by letting them decompose in a plastic bag and then using them as compost. Removing English Ivy from a tree requires more delicacy. Yanking the vines can damage the bark and branches, and could even dislodge a bird's (or bees') nest. First, being careful to avoid damaging the bark, use a flat-head screwdriver to detach six to 12 inches of each vine about a foot above the base of the tree. Cut the detached section from each vine all the way around the trunk so the ends can't grow back together. Large vines may require a pruning saw. Remove all the English Ivy in the ground for at least six feet around the tree, including roots. The English Ivy on the tree will die and eventually fall off. Check the area every six months for any English Ivy that may have sprouted from leftover pieces of root or seeds. Removing regrowth will eventually exhaust any remaining roots. English Ivy deserts, where a large mass of ivy has smothered most other plant life, require more effort to remove. For more information on removing English Ivy, visit If you would like advice or assistance removing English Ivy from your yard, please contact the Mount Rainier Tree Commission through City Manager Jeannelle Wallace by phone (301) ext. 22, or jwallace@mountrainiermd.org. Public Works RECYCLE, BULK TRASH AND YARD WASTE COLLECTION TIPS All recyclables (aluminum cans, bottles, paper and cardboard) can be put in the same yellow recycle bin which will be picked up Friday of each week. These items will be taken to the County recycle plant as they now have the capability to separate the items. All BULK TRASH appointments must be made before 12 Noon on the Friday preceding the pick up day. All bulk trash items must be set out before 7 AM on pick up day. Call , select option 2. Yard Waste collection will be EVERY Monday through October. May 2 May 5 May 7 May 9 May 12 May 14 May 16 May 19 May 21 May 23 May 26 May 27 May 28 May 30 June 2 June 4 June 6 June 9 June 11 June 13 June 16 June 18 June 20 June 23 Bulk Trash (call for appointments) Yard Waste Pickup Yard Waste Collection Bulk Trash (call for appointments) Yard Waste Pickup MEMORIAL DAY Public Works and City Hall CLOSED Yard Waste Collection Bulk Trash (call for appointments) Yard Waste Pickup Yard Waste Collection Bulk Trash (call for appointments) Yard Waste Pickup Yard Waste Collection MAY 2014 MESSAGE 7

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Issue 308 May Mount Rainier Day Annual Month of Peace Observed

Issue 308 May Mount Rainier Day Annual Month of Peace Observed The Message CITY OF MT. RAINIER MARYLAND Issue 308 May 2013 Mount Rainier Day 2013 Come out and join your neighbors and friends on Saturday, May 18th, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m for what promises to be one of the