Prince George's Philharmonic performs with County Students in Bravura Performance Feb 11, 2012

               There are so many great reasons to live in Prince George's County, and the Prince George's Philharmonic is one of them" Last night's exceptional program featured stars of our county's outstanding student body performing with the orchestra the sensuously dazzling 'Bacchanale' from the opera Samson and Delilah (French: Samson et Dalila), Op. 47 by Camille Saint-Saëns. In a bravura performance the talented student of Prince George's County high schools electrified the concert-hall with their inspired, musical collaboration.

First violins:

·       Melia Humphrey, Suitland High School

·       Kayla Carlyle,  Suitland High School

·       Jela Douglas, Suitland High School

Second Violins:

·       Olubuka Abiona, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

·       Taisha Stewart,  Suitland High School

·       Dominique Marshall, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

·       Abana Critchfield, Bowie High School

Viola:

·       Natalie Steenrod, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

·       Tornatore Salvatore, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Cello:

·       Yeshu Battle, Suitland High School

Bass:

·       Warren Brown, Bowie High School

Flute:

·       Katherine Skinner, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Oboe:

·       Rddie Kunkel, Eleanor Roosevely High School

Clarinet:

·       Nicholas Ey, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Bass Clarinet:

·       Saundra Black, Suitland High School

Bassoon:

·       Joya Petersen, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

(French) Horn:

·       Elliot Tapscott, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Trumpet:

·       Andrew Skinner, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Trombone:

·       Tad Howley, Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Tuba:

·       Briana Mack, Oxon Hill High School

Percussion:

·       Roderick Holcomb,  Northwestern High School

·       Amenta Turner, Oxon Hill High School

               The program continued featuring the Prince George's Philharmonic and a fiery performance of the Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22, by the Polish violin virtuoso, Henryk Wieniawski. The concerto is a warhorse of the violin repertoire and the world-class rendition by the solo violinist, Emil Chudnovsky, pays tribute to both composer's abilities and the soloist's skill, technique and talent.

               And if this were not enough on the first real winter's day so far, Charles Ellis, Conductor, led the orchestra in a tour de force performance of the Symphonie fantastique: Épisode de la vie d'un Artiste...en cinq parties , Op. 14 of Hector Berlioz.  Ellis and the Philharmonic kept the audience transfixed for almost an hour ending with the hair-raising, full of awe last movement is a spectacular performance.[1]

               Prince George's County is filled with treasures like the Philharmonic; this is why I am Proudly Prince Georgian.

see also:

Interview with Emil Chudnovsky, soloist with Pri. Geo.'s County Philharmonic Feb 11, 2012

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[1]  I was delighted to see young children in the audience, because if live performances of great music are to continnue. a new generation must be exposed, though sometime the extra sounds were a little distracting, the payback in the future overcomes the concerns of the evening.

Cell phones, however, are a real problem, nuisance and distraction:

http://feistyredhair.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/this-is-not-in-the-score/ 

Prince George's Philarmonic Concert tonight - Pri. Geo.'s Community College

Saturday, February 11,2012 - 8:00pm

Prince George’s Community College, Largo, MD

Charles Ellis, Conductor - Emil Chudnovsky, Violin

Saint-Saens        Bacchanale from Samson et Dalila

Wieniawski         Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 22

Berlioz                Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14

Hallam Theater, Queen Anne Fine Arts Building,

Prince George's Community College ,

301 Largo Rd., Largo, Maryland 20774-2199

Single Ticket General Admission: $20, Seniors: $18, Age 18 and under free (ticket required). Single Tickets go on sale the night of the concert beginning at 7 pm, cash or check only. Tickets can be purchased in advance, by check. Please click here for the Single Ticket mail-in order form. All seating is unreserved. Free Parking. for more information: http://www.pgphilharmonic.org/

excerpts from the website: The Philharmonic was founded in 1964 and known then as the Prince George's Civic Symphony Orchestra. The first concert was held on December 19, 1965 at Bowie High School. The first conductor was Lloyd Farrar. He was followed by Emerson Head. Emerson helped start music classes for children. He continued as the conductor until 1979. Rita Souweine was like a den mother and took over virtually all aspects of running the non-musical side of the orchestra. An important sponsor then was the Arts Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Rita's volunteer activities later led to her becoming the paid Coordinator of the Arts Division. To this day, the Philharmonic retains a strong relationship with the Arts Division of Park and Planning.

               Charles Ellis, a graduate of Indiana University, New England Conservatory, and the Peabody Conservatory, has been the Music Director of the Philharmonic since 2001. The Philharmonic has grown as an orchestra in the breadth of music it performs, its collaborative efforts with talented guest artists and groups and in its efforts to reach residents from all points of the county. In recent years, it has received critical acclaim for its performances. The Prince George's Philharmonic looks forward to expanding its musical presence in "Gorgeous Prince George's."

Prince George's County Shuts its Eyes to Bags, Liter and Trash

EPA Approves Trash Limit For Anacostia River

Thinking that if it does not see the plastic and debris lined water ways that are the final destination of the trash that does not make it to a proper container, bags will not be there, Prince George's County decides to plays ostrich when it comes to litter. The fee or tax on use of bags in Prince George's County died in committee.[1]  ON January 24th, 2012 I wrote that "without a willingness to try new things we are doomed to sink into a landscape filled with litter, trash, pollution and waste." I asked if "this what we want our community to look like?  I told the readers of my blog that Prince George's County "spent $2.15 million on for picking up roadside trash in the 2007 and $2.72 million in the 2008."[2]

Plastic bags snagged along the Northwest Branch in Chillum, MD. 

               So now we either are going to just let the trash pile up or all of us are going to divert tax dollars to pick up after those who find it easier to throw their plastic out the windows. It cannot be that economically challenged communities want to live surrounded by non-degradable litter; so it must be that some think it better to raise taxes on everyone to clean up the mess of a few.

                   This line of reasoning should surprise no one in this county as it is the guiding principle of the privileged elite and so should be of little surprise that many others would seek to flatter by disposable imitation. And one last thing, you get bet that the litter and bags will b picked up around Prince George's affluent neighborhoods at tax payer expense while the trash around the rest of us floats  out of sight; out of mind.    

Where does Pri. Geo's Trash go? Trash Screen Sligo Creek

 Where does Pri. Geo's Trash go? Trash Screen Sligo Creek

1.  Additional perspective from Greater Greater Washington today 2/10/2021: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/13667/prince-georges-bag-fee-not-dead-but-needs-your-help/
2. The fact behind what’s in your trash? [Infographic]
   Read more - http://w.po.st/share/entry/redir?publisherKey=Inquisitr.com-607&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inquisitr.com%2F192934%2Fthe-fact-behind-whats-in-your-trash-infographic%2F&title=The%20fact%20behind%20what%E2%80%99s%20in%20your%20trash%3F%20%5BInfographic%5D&sharer=copypaste

                 

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[1] David Hill. P.G. County bag tax proposal stalls. WashingtonTimes. February 8, 2012 [accessed February 9, 20120 http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/8/pg-county-bag-tax-proposal-stalls/

[2] Thompson. What will it take to reduce the cost of cleaning up the litter, trash and pollution in our County? Prince Georgian. January 24, 2012. accessed February 9, 2012] http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-will-it-take-to-reduce-cost-of.html

Colonial Maryland Slave Laws 42, 43: Bacon's Laws of Maryland

42.  Slaves condemned to suffer Death, shall immediately be valued by the Court, and that whole Value
shall be paid by the Treasurer of the respective Shore on which such Execution shall be, out of the Public
Stock, to the Owner, on Certificate of the Sheriff, in Case such Slave be actually executed.  Ibid.  §. 7.

    43.  Slaves guilty of Rambling, Riding, or going abroad by Night, or riding Horses by Day without
Leave, or Running away, may (on Application of their Owners, or other Person injured by them) be
immediately punished by the County Court, by Whipping, Cropping, Branding, or Otherwise, not extending to Life, or rendering such Slave unfit for Labour. Ibid.  §. 8.


Bacon's Laws of Maryland . Vol 75 page 691. Maryland Archives  

http://www.msa.md.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--691.pdf

Hello Prince George's Do we have time for economic development that matters?

               Prince George's County and the State of Maryland face significant budget challenges and therefore spending constraints. The governments need to find more revenue or cut spending. Cutting spending will focus first on services such as infrastructure maintenance, security, health, community support, and education. The present wager is that the expansion of legalized betting will provide a more-or-less dependable revenue source. The significant income potentially derived from the gaming industry focuses government like a laser.

               This focus, however, takes out eyes off larger prizes such as working to create a agrobiotech center in Prince George's County. With USDA-ARS BARC and NAL, APHIS, FDA, NASA and the University of Maryland right here it should be a cornerstone of our economic strategy. While we debate whether we should allow the rest of the State of Maryland to make decisions for us here in the county as to whether gambling is what we want, whole countries commit to the future by creating an environment conducive to the establishment and operation  life science firms. While Prince George's County argues about gambling, Dubai lures 21 life sciences firms to the Gulf.[1] While we decide the importance of craps tables in National Harbor, Dubai continues to entice businesses with its new Biotechnology and Research Park, "the world's first free zone dedicated to the life sciences industry" This 21st century economic development project "has attracted 21 new companies, 33 percent more than the number of the previous year."

               How is it that we find ourselves directing our political will towards dice and slot machines instead of making sure that Prince George's County will be a leader when it comes to the Governor's technology transfer initiative. Given all the ruckus about gambling initiatives, the idea that we might actually talk about something sustainable and beneficial for the long run is perhaps a bad bet. Governor O'Malley's the Maryland Innovation Initiative is an effort to create a collaboration among the "five state research universities with businesses and government officials, in hopes of accelerating technology transfer from the lab to the market."[2]  O’Malley is seeking a supplemental $5 million in the state budget for the program to help lead the way in assuring that Maryland’s universities are looking to turn their science into commercial sales.

               Hello Prince George's County - did you know that USDA-ARS has been doing this quietly right here in our back yard since 1986? What are we doing? Gambling here of course will help the Governor find the revenue to bring hi tech to some other county like say Montgomery or Howard ?

• Scientific Jobs in Prince George's County are leaving 2007
• Prince George's County Proud - Home of USDA ARS BARC (Beltsville Agricultural Research Center) Crop Systems And Global Change Lab  2011
• In Prince George's County, Maryland's hidden-in-plain-sight, 21st century science research facility 2012
• Is Prince George's County, Maryland ready to become the national economic center for biological and agricultural research, technology and innovation? 2012
• Betting on (in) Prince George's County: Somethings Change and then They Don't 2012

---

[1] Xinhua. Dubai lures 21 life sciences firms to the Gulf. English.news.cn. February 7, 2012. [accessed February 7, 2012] http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2012-02/07/c_131394731.htm

"Founded in 2005, the park, also called DuBiotech, is a free zone where licensed firms enjoy a 50-year tax holiday, 100 percent foreign ownership and free capital convertibility. Currently it is hosting 90 biotechnology companies operating diverse sectors.  "In addition to welcoming 21 biotechnology companies to the free zone, most of them industry leaders, we also added a new segment to our portfolio with the setting up of BYK Chemicals, the park's first industrial biotech company," said Marwan Abdul Aziz, DuBiotech's director of business development.  Other industries, such as pharmaceuticals, agricultural biotech as well as medical devices and equipment, have also witnessed strong growth, he added... New companies registered at DuBiotech in 2011 included Bristol Myers Squibb, National Starch and Chemical Middle East, Wokhardt and Chr. Hansen Middle East and Africa.."

[2] Lindsey Robbins.  New initiative aims to accelerate Maryland’s tech-transfer efforts. Gazette.Net. 

Maryland Heritage Areas Program Funding Under Attack - Needs Our Help

Partners, Advocates, Elected Officials - we need your help.  The funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has been proposed to be cut by $1.5 million dollars in the coming legislative session.  That means general matching grants for our region have almost no chance of being funded unless we fight to save these funds.  The good news, if there is any, is that this cut is under the “Budget Reconciliation and Finance Act” or “BRFA.”  (Sounds like “burfa.”) That means the legislature can turn down this proposed cut and keep funding at its full level. 

We need your help by contacting your state legislators. They need to know your projects – past, present and future which will attract visitors and residents; which will bring dollars to their district; and which requires matching funds – are critical to supporting the growth of this region and supporting the transformation through economic development.  We need you to do the thing you are great at – pulling together for heritage - and help save these funds, funds which should be awarded to your organization now and in the future.

ATHA Inc. has been in a re-birth mode.  We are about to roll out some major changes – support for bike tourism, better business connections, the War of 1812 celebration, new tour brochures, improved wayfinding programs, a stronger website, and improved marketing for the region.  Our marketing plan suggests we may be able to increase our visitation by 100,000 in the next two years – representing nearly $10,000,000 in new funds for the region.  Taken another way, those visitors represents as many as 600 new jobs.  Remember Heritage Tourism = Jobs!

Please see information  below – a fact sheet and a committee contact document.  I hope they make the process easier.  I also note that we have a Senate meeting on Friday at 1pm which could use your support if you are available.  If you are interested in attending, please contact me and I can give you the details.  If you are interested in writing a letter, I would be glad to send you a “draft” letter for your editing which might make the process easier. 

Thank you for your time and support and please help save the funds that should be coming back to you!

Aaron

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

Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director

Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781

301-887-0777 tel / 301-887-1077 fax

www.anacostiatrails.org

www.battleofbladensburg1812.org

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@ATHeritageArea

Facebook keyword: Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

*********************************************

2012 MD State Budget Committees

Contact Information

1

 MARYLAND HERITAGE AREAS PROGRAM

FY2013 Budget Request

Ask the Governor and your Legislators to support funding for the

Maryland Heritage Areas Program

What:

Heritage Areas are places to experience - to see, hear and even taste - the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that you cannot experience anywhere else. Heritage Areas are where the stories of the people, the land and the waters of Maryland, which have been intertwined for thousands of years, are told. In Heritage Areas individuals, businesses, non-profits and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes and enduring traditions. These tangible links to both place and the past encourage residents to recognize they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others, and that in doing so they create more livable and economically sustainable communities.

Through grants, loans, tax incentives and technical assistance, the Maryland Heritage Areas Program supports the economic well-being of Maryland’s communities by preserving and celebrating the State’s history, cultural traditions and natural resources through partnerships that promote, support and create place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike.

Why:

• SUPPORTING LOCAL PROJECTS: Since its creation in 1996, the Maryland Heritage Areas program has awarded approximately $24.3 million to governments and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grants process for heritage tourism projects.

• LEVERAGING FUNDS: In the last six years, $14,203,876 in Heritage Area grants has leveraged $41,126,235 in non-State matching support – about a 3:1 match!

• RETURN ON INVESTMENT: Every State dollar invested in heritage tourism in Maryland returns $4.61 in tax revenues to State and local governments.

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Maryland Heritage Areas Program provides loans and tax credits to small businesses, and also grants to nonprofit and government run historical, cultural and natural area attractions and activities that draw more visitors to Maryland. Studies show these heritage tourists stay longer and spend more money than most visitors.

• PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: Heritage areas support partnership building with regional joint efforts and networking opportunities that leverage funds and focus resources on community priorities.

• TARGETING INVESTMENT: In alignment with statewide priorities, capital grant funding and other financial incentives are directed to Target Investment Zones where there is a high potential to leverage private investment in focused heritage tourism locations with major attractions and clusters of visitor services.

• SAVING MARYLAND FOR MARYLANDERS AND OUR VISITORS: Every part of the State has its own unique character, special places and traditions. Heritage areas save and celebrate these one of a kind Maryland treasures for residents as well as visitors – a truly exceptional tool for supporting economic development through tourism while maintaining a high quality of life for all Marylanders!

SENATE

Capital Budget Subcommittee

Chair: James E. DeGrange, Sr.

James Senate Office Building, Room 101
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3593, (301) 858-3593
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3593 (toll free)
e-mail: james.degrange@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3589, (301) 858-3589

Vice Chair: Douglas J. J. Peters

James Senate Office Building, Room 121
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3631 (toll free)
e-mail: douglas.peters@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3174, (301) 858-3174

Richard F. Colburn

James Senate Office Building, Room 315 (for Jan. 2012, temporarily in Room 117)
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3590, (301) 858-3590
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3590 (toll free)
e-mail: richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3087, (301) 858-3087

Ulysses Currie

James Senate Office Building, Room 201
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 858-3127, (410) 841-3127
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3127 (toll free)
e-mail: ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us
fax: (301) 858-3733, (410) 841-3733

George C. Edwards

James Senate Office Building, Room 322
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3565, (301) 858-3565; 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3565 (toll free)
e-mail: george.edwards@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3552, (301) 858-3552

Nancy J. King

James Senate Office Building, Room 222
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3686, (301) 858-3686
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3686 (toll free)
e-mail: nancy.king@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3670, (301) 858-3670

Nathaniel J. McFadden

Miller Senate Office Building, Room 422
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3165, (301) 858-3165
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3165 (toll free)
e-mail: nathaniel.mcfadden@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3138, (301) 858-3138

HOUSE

Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee

Chair: Tawanna P. Gaines

House Office Building, Room 416
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3058, (301) 858-3058
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3058 (toll free)
e-mail: tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3119, (301) 858-3119

Vice Chair: Steven J. DeBoy

House Office Building, Room 306
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3328, (301) 858-3328
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3328 (toll free)
e-mail: steven.deboy@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3007, (301) 858-3007

Susan L. M. Aumann

House Office Building, Room 303
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3258, (301) 858-3258
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3258 (toll free)
e-mail: susan.aumann@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3163, (301) 858-3163

Wendell R. Beitzel

House Office Building, Room 410B
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3435, (301) 858-3435
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3435 (toll free)
e-mail: wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3040, (301) 858-3040

James E, Proctor, Jr.

House Office Building, Room 121
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3083, (301) 858-3083
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3083 (toll free)
e-mail: james.proctor@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3459, (301) 858-3459

Mary L. Washington

House Office Building, Room 315
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3476, (301) 858-3476
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3476 (toll free)
e-mail: mary.washington@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3295, (301) 858-3295

Craig J. Zucker

House Office Building, Room 224
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3380, (301) 858-3380
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3380 (toll free)
e-mail: craig.zucker@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3266, (301) 858-3266

How about we gamble on a "Savings Lottery" while we are on a roll in Prince George's County

               We are so busy here in Prince George's County, Maryland racing to see of the rest of the state by means of a referendum feels that we should be the lucky winners of a casino that we probably do not have time to consider another form of gambling that might benefit many of us directly and personally.  According to a blog post by Clark Howard in April of last year, pp in the Mid West, lands of the Great Lakes "credit unions have joined together under an initiative called Save To Win.  This programs allows you to open a savings account for $25, and that essentially buys you one "lottery ticket" for a monthly drawing of anywhere from $125 to $1,000. Every $25 you deposit is another entry to win."[1]

               How come our privileged elite has not come up with this idea? Could it be that gaming's two biggest winners are government and the developer/operator coalition? If gaming, gamble and casinos are such a great idea, couldn't we expand the concept to one that directly impacts the individual? Do you want to make a bet that the very same people who are for gambling would be against this savings lottery version of the same activity? Gambling interests are the interests of a few, and gambling will produce4 a few jobs while generating large tax revenues. Saving lotteries on the other hands would benefit everyone who saves and you can bet on a big opposition from the privileged few to any idea that helps the many directly cutting out the middle man.

"Your initial $25 deposit also enters you to win an annual jackpot of $100,000. (Your entries into the game of chance are capped at 10 per month, based on the amount you deposit.) But no matter whether you win or lose, you get to keep all the money you've deposited, plus any interest. In a single year, over 16,000 Michigan residents who had not been savers opened new accounts because of the jackpot lure. They saved $28 million collectively that otherwise might not have been saved, according to the latest numbers I've seen."[2]

               Prince George's County needs creative novel ideas that benefit all of us.. Casinos in National Harbor will help bring outside money to the county; casinos will be an additional attraction helping to make National Harbor the choice for meetings and conventions. But let's be clear. As I have previously written  "...the slots industry, when established  in Prince George's County, would create an impressive 3,866 jobs in the county. ..[at a] wage of $12,491 per year."[3] Maybe the self interested few while they are on a roll could take some time to create a winning gamble and look into "Savings Lotteries" while they are on a roll    

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[1] ClarkHoward.com: Credit unions offer combination savings account and lottery ticket option. April 20, 2011 [accessed February 6,2012] http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/personal-finance-credit/credit-unions-offer-combination-savings-account-an/nCRqx/

[2] ibid.

[3] Thompson. Gambling & Politics: Anonymous Prince George's Comments. January 23, 2012 [accessed February 6, 2012] http://princegeorgian.blogspot.com/2012/01/gambling-politics-anonymous-prince.html

Betting on (in) Prince George's County: Somethings Change and then They Don't

The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, August 22, 1919, FINAL EDITION, Page 7, Image 7

Image provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Persistent link: http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1919-08-22/ed-1/seq-7/

n

               HYATTSVILLE NEWS[1]

- Prince George's Farmers Picnic At and Inspect U. S. Experiment Station at Beltsville.

 [now known as BARC]

HTATTSVILLE, Aug. 22. The first annual county-wide picnic of the farmers of Prince George's county, held yesterday at the Government experiment farm of the Bureau of Animal Industry, near Beltsville, Md., was attended by several hundred persons. It was held in a grove surrounding the Administration building, under the auspices of the Prince George's county community council, George W. Waters, of Laurel, chairman.

               Preceding the speaking, the Pomona County Grange. Prof, Frank B. Bomberger, president, met and discussed the county road law. Plans were made to obtain a law during the 1920 .session of the legislature, which would follow closely the Caroline county road law. Resolutions were adopted calling upon the county commissioners for a rigid enforcement of the provisions of the law requiring the licensing  of all dogs.

               The committee recently appointed to secure a decision upon the legality of the circuit court's action in granting a license for horse racing at Bowie. Prince George's county, was warmly congratulated, especially its counsel. Jackson H. Ralston and Frank M. Stephen, for .securing a decision from the court of appeals which temporarily stops betting.[2]

               Dr. S. S. Buckley. State veterinarian, gave a demonstration in cutting pork for house use. In the absence of President Waters. Prof. Thomas B Symons. chairman of the agricultural committee of the council, presided.

               Addresses were made by B. Jackson Black, master Maryland State Grange; Oliver Wilson,  master National Grange; W. J. Russell. United States Department of Agriculture; Circuit Judge Fillmore Beall, of Prince George's: T. Atkerson. representative of the National Grange in Washington, and Prof. Bomberger,

               [in other news] Martin Edward Brady, keeper of the county iail here, died Wednesday night in a Washington hospital, where he was taken that afternoon. He was about sixty years old, and had never married. At one time he lived at Bowie, Prince George's county, and was prominent in Republican politics.

Prices that Prove We Undersell Markets[3]  

Sirloin Steak,                                lb 23c

Roast Beef,                                    lb 25c

Pork Chops,                                   lb 35c

Country Table Butter.              .54c

Large Can Tomatoes.               l2^1/2 c

12-lb. Sack Flour                        75c

M Becker, 1918 7th Street N. W.

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[1] The Washington times., August 22, 1919, FINAL EDITION, Page 7 http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026749/1919-08-22/ed-1/seq-7/;words=County+county+Prince+George+Georges?date1=1836&rows=20&searchType=advanced&proxdistance=5&state=&date2=1922&ortext=&proxtext=+Prince+George%27s+County&phrasetext=Prince+George%27s+County&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&index=14

[2]  So Prince George's County comes full circle when it comes to gambling

[3] c equals cents

Ardwick and the Wormley Family: African-American History in Prince George's County

               Sooner or later Prince George's County will run out of land and will be forced in to enter the 21st century. Until then the time honored and traditional business model is to "develop" land by making promises pocketing the money and leaving the county and its residents to find ways on their own to build and maintain neighborhood infrastructure such as roads, water, and schools. African-Americans have dealt with development challenges and created many notable communities within Prince George's County, Maryland.

               For example, the area known as Ardwick was farmland and what is now euphemistically called open-space.. Farming was the business of the day. From the coming of the Europeans to the beginning to the 20th century. agriculture was the primary business enterprise of the county. Ardwick was first platted in 1889 by Thomas Mitchell, a Washington, D.C., real estate broker. [1]   The community was one of the growing number of railroad suburb that were platted between the end of the Civil War and the end of World War II. . In a research paper by Susan Pearl Susan Pearl the "original plat was abandoned soon after platting, and the area remained rural, despite the location near the Ardwick railroad station."[2]

               However along Ardwick-Ardmore Road, between Routes 450 and 410 an African-American community began to coalesce when William Stanton Wormley, educator and artist,  bought a house  in 1902/1903  built a few years earlier, 1897, by Hugh Browne.[3] Wormley was the "grandson of businessman James Wormley. And, James Wormley was the far-sighted, cutting-edge, black nineteenth-century businessman and owner of the Wormley Hotel in Washington, D.C.  The Wormley Hotel was the first integrated hotel in the national capital.[4]   

               The historically African-American portion of the larger Ardwick community developed around William Wormley's five acre country retreat.  The house and grounds became a residence and a retreat for the Wormley family. The grounds once included a tennis court and Trap Shooting Club. The shooting club on the slopping ground south of the dwelling now covered in mature trees was known as Wortay Carbro,[5]

         

              The legacy and memory of the hard work in both the private and public sectors of the Wormley family surely  rates our attention today. When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public.  The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public's attention important  developments that merit emphasis. Today, Black History Month continues the focus on the contributions and lives of African-Americans who gave so much towards the creation of this county and this county.

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[1] Prince George’s County Land Records, Circuit Court, Plat Book BB 5: 96; “For Sale or Exchange,” The Washington Post, 13 June 1884.

[2] Susan G. Pearl, Prince George’s County African-American Heritage Survey, 1996 (Upper Marlboro, MD: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, 1996), 40.- 41

[3] Maryland Historical Trust Maryland Inventory of Inventory No. PG: 69-023-17

Historic Properties Form http://www.mncppcapps.org/planning/HistoricCommunitiesSurvey/Documentations/PG%2069-023-17%20William%20Stanton%20Wormley%20House/PG%2069-023-17%20Wormley%20House%20MIHP.pdf

"The Wormley House was constructed c. 1898 for Hugh Browne. In 1902, Browne sold the 5-acre property and modest frame dwelling to his brother-in-law, Furman Shadd, an early graduate and Administrative Offices of the Howard University Medical School.  Shadd sold the property one year later to his nephew, William Stanton Wormley."

[4] Wormley, James (1819–1884) - Entrepreneur, Chronology, Opens Elegant Hotel - Washington, Business, Wormley’s, and Black - JRank Articles http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/4526/Wormley-James-1819-1884.html#ixzz1lQZClbhv

"In 1868, Maryland senator Reverdy Johnson was appointed minister to England. He had heard of Wormley’s reputation as a caterer and decided to offer him a position as his personal caterer. Even though he had a wife and four children, he accepted the offer. It is said that his culinary skills contributed to Johnson’s diplomatic success and Wormley’s reputation as a caterer was that much improved. While abroad he visited the cuisine kitchens in Paris. Excited about the additional culinary skills learned in Paris, in 1871, he moved to a more spacious location on the corner of Fifteenth and H Streets near the White House. At this location, with the aid of U.S. Representative Samuel J. Hooper, the silent partner and nominal owner, Wormley opened an elegant hotel which became known as the Wormley Hotel. The older property on I Street was used as an annex to the hotel. The five-story building boasted 150 rooms, including a bar, a barbershop, and a world-renowned dining room noted for its cuisine (turtle soup and Chesapeake Bay seafood). It was also renowned for its well-managed rooms and became the first hotel in Washington, D.C. to have an elevator and a telephone connected to the city’s first switchboard. For more than two decades the hotel was the meeting place for black and white elites as well as distinguished foreigners.

               Another milestone for Wormley on July 21, 1871, according to the Agribusiness Council in Washington, D.C., was a resolution he authored with the aid of Senator Charles Sumner. He and Sumner, a Massachusetts Republican and an abolitionist, persuaded Congress to provide legislation for funding the first public schools in Washington, D.C. for black Americans. As a result of his efforts, in 1885, a school known as the Wormley Elementary School for the Colored was built in Georgetown at Thirty-fourth and Prospect Streets. The school, the last physical monument attesting to Wormley’s life and time, remained an all black school until 1952. Subsequently, it was used as a vocational training center for special needs students. The building was condemned in 1994 and was purchased in 1997 by Georgetown University with the intent of housing its graduate policy program. Unfortunately, the university later decided to sell the property.

The hotel was the site of the Wormley Conference of 1877, where representatives of the future president Rutherford B. Hayes and opponent Samuel Tilden resolved the disputed election of 1876. A “secret deal” later known as the “Compromise of 1877, or the Wormley Agreement,” ended the dispute of the twenty electoral votes. Nineteen of the votes were from Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, and one from Oregon. The result of the agreement on February 26, 1877, was that Hayes received all twenty votes. There is no evidence that Wormley participated in this agreement, which signaled the end of the Reconstruction era and the fate of black Americans left to the southern state governments."  

[5] Susan G. Pearl, “Wormley House,” (PG: 69-17) Maryland Historical Trust State Historic Sites Inventory Form (1989), 8:1.

Invasive Notes: Open Letter to Congress: Control of Asiatic Wavyleaf Basketgrass, Oplismenus hirtellus undulatifolius

We, Alan Ford amford@acm.org 703.732.5291, Virginia Native Plant Society, and Marc Imlay, Conservation biologist, ialm@erols.com 301-283-0808h, 301-442-5657c Maryland Native Plant Society, on behalf of the organizations and their members listed below, request $5-10 million funding to detect and treat Asiatic Wavyleaf Basketgrass, Oplismenus hirtellus undulatifolius in Maryland and Virginia. Please read full letter at:  Invasive Notes: Open Letter to Congress: Control of Asiatic Wavyleaf Basketgrass, Oplismenus hirtellus undulatifolius

http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/5390042.jpg 

An invasive species is spreading from the Baltimore area of Maryland south to Washington and west to the Blue Ridge of Virginia. Like a fire in the forest, wavyleaf basketgrass (Oplismenus hirtellus subsp. undulatifolius (Ard.) U. Scholz, Phanerog. Monogr.)  is spreading rapidly and replacing the natural diversity with its mono-culture habit of eco-system and eco-service destruction. This grass, which is taxonomically confusing and, therefore, hard for the public to identified precisely or categorized, is spreading in public parks and on private lands in the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan area. 


And yes, Prince George's County, it is right here in our midst and all around quietly butt dramatically altering the green spaces of urban parks and natural areas

Colonial Maryland Slave Laws 37- 41: Bacon's Laws of Maryland

  37.  Slaves convicted of consulting, advising, conspiring, or attempting to raise any Insurrection, or to murder or poison any Person, or to commit a Rape upon any White Woman, or to burn any House; or who shall stand Mute, or peremptorily Challenge above Twenty Jurors, shall suffer Death without Benefit of Clergy.  1751, ch. 14, §. 2.

    38.  Slaves convict of attempting to burn any Dwelling-house or Out-house contiguous to, or used with 
any Dwelling-house, or other House wherein shall be any Person, Goods, Tobacco, Grain or Fodder, shall
suffer Death without Benefit of Clergy.  Ibid.  §. 3.

    39.  Slaves committing any Felony punishable by Death, shall be committed to the Sheriff of the County,
and tried at the next Assizes or County Court which shall first happen; which Court is impowered,
on Confession, or Conviction of the Offender, on the Testimony of one legal Witness, or even of other
Slaves corroborated with such pregnant Circumstances, as shall satisfy the Jury of the Guilt of such Slaves,
to give Judgment.  Ibid.  §. 4.


 40.  Slaves convict of giving false Testimony against other Slaves on such Prosecutions, shall have one Ear
cut off, and receive Thirty-nine Stripes, on the Day of Conviction; and the other Ear to be cut off, and
the like Number of Stripes given the Offender, on t he Day following.  Ibid.  §. 5.

    41.  Slaves produced as Witnesses on such Occasions, shall be admonished to declare the Truth, &c. and acquainted 
with the Danger of false Swearing, &c. by the Court.  Ibid.  §. 6.

Bacon's Laws of Maryland . Vol 75 page 691. Maryland Archives 

http://aomol.net/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000075/pdf/am75--691.pdf

Prince George's County's Executive Measures Growth

Pri. Geo.'s County, Maryland General Plan

               I had the opportunity and pleasure to speak with Mr. David Iannucci, Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development and Public Infrastructure in the Office of the Prince George's County Executive. I asked him a few questions; the "virtual" interview follows:

Thompson:      There are many ways to measure change when it comes to economic development and growth. The 2002 General Plan laid out goals for development in the three county tiers which were not met in the developed tier and surpassed in the other two tiers. Are these good indicators of how well the county is doing? Are there other metrics that tell a more useful story?

IANNUCCI:      "While the 2002 General Plan described goals for the allocation of development among the three County tiers (33%/66%/1% projected in the developed, developing, and rural tiers, respectively, vs. 18%/79%/3% reality) the statistics  do not take into account the total amount of development that actually occurred in Prince George’s County.   Despite its many resources and advantages, the data is clear that overall, and relative to other jurisdictions in the metropolitan area, there has not been enough development – read job growth – in Prince George’s County.  That in the essence is why County Executive Baker has focused on economic development and growing the commercial tax base.   Many are familiar with the fact that 60% of Prince George’s County residents who are employed have to leave the County each day for their jobs. 

               The 2002 GP called for improving Prince George’s County’s jobs to population ratio, which was at 38% that year, to 53% by 2025.  This important measure gives a sense of how many jobs are actually located in a jurisdiction compared to the total population of that jurisdiction, and is an indication of economic strength.  By way of comparison, Howard County’s ratio is about 52%, and Montgomery County’s is over 45%.  Ten years after the 2002 GP called for increasing Prince George’s County’s 38% ratio, it stands at 37%.  Another measure of this is total jobs in the County:  in 2000, when the County had 800,000 residents, there were approximately 300,000 jobs in the County.  Twelve years later, with a population of 863,000, we still have only 300,000 jobs in Prince George’s County.   (We peaked at about 318,000 in 2007-2008.)  With 63,000 new residents over 12 years, we have not one single additional job to show for ourselves.   Collectively, this data is a story of a jurisdiction lagging in economic growth.

               What that means to me is that it is not a matter of their being too much growth in the developing tier relative to the developed (largely inner beltway) tier, it is a matter  of there not being enough growth, or new jobs, in the developed tier itself.  It is wrong to set this debate as developed vs developing tier in this County.  If Prince George’s County had experienced the type of growth that we should have in the developed tier, and the developing tier numbers had stayed flat, magically the 2002 GP goals might have been met.   It is a matter of our TOD and Metro station opportunities, our gateway communities, and our inner beltway growth opportunities missing out on growth, not a matter of there being too much growth in the suburban areas outside the beltway."

THOMPSON: What tools are available to local governments to help "steer" development? Are there any advantages to negative or restrictive regulations over positive or enabling polices or vice versa?

 IANNUCCI:     "Prince George’s County Executive Baker has recognized the need for a multi-pronged strategy for addressing this situation.  His Deputy CAO Carla Reid is focusing on reforming and streamlining the permit and regulatory processes that are frequently cited by developers as impediments to new projects and opportunities in the County.  He successfully pushed for the creation of the $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund (EDI Fund) to address capital shortages and provide gap financing for projects that here to now have been stymied.  CE Baker is also seeking authority for a new economic development tool for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) to add another tool to the toolbox to spur development in TOD and revitalization areas.  These type of positive incentives can play a vital role in spurring growth in the developed tier, where all agree it is inherently more expensive to build on than in a greenfield site.  These incentives can allow the County to close the gap on development costs and provide the incentive for projects and jobs in our older communities and our TOD sites.  Using these tools, the County can create market conditions that favor growth where we want it.  Some advocate creating negative incentives for projects in the developing tier as a way of pushing the growth to the developed tier, but the reality is that the two are not connected.  Stopping or limiting growth by negative incentives outside the beltway will not add one new job inside the beltway unless the financial incentives for that growth are there – unless the numbers work for the project standing alone.  Prohibiting Konterra type of developments would not have any effect on promoting growth inside the beltway: growth there must itself financially makes sense for the private sector."

THOMPSON:    What are Mr. Baker's strategies for economic development? 

IANNUCCI:      "In addition to the changes and new tools discussed above, the County Executive has talked of clear priorities for all County agencies and organizations and how they allocate their resources.  Again, TOD opportunities, gateway communities, and the developed tier are critically important.  The County Executive also recognizes that much of the job growth that we need will come from our small and minority businesses, which employ local residents and spend money locally.  We want to build an economic strategy around the presence of our 17 federal facilities, and our outstanding institutions of higher education, including the State’s flagship university.  We are also focusing on GSA and other federal tenants for Prince George’s County’s Metro stations, which collectively have more land development opportunities than  any other jurisdiction in the region.  With 25% of the federal workforce, but only 4% of federal office space, Prince George’s County should not have to explain to the federal government why this situation must be righted.  We will make the location of a new high security campus for the FBI Headquarters one of our highest priorities, and have no doubt that the superior locations for this facility exist in our County."

Additional reading:

·       Prince Georgian: PG 418-12 could provide property tax reductions for adaptive re-use

·       Prince Georgian: Prince George's County works to be the next home of the new Headquarters of the FBI

·       Prince Georgian: Prince George's County, Maryland, is Home to at least 34 (update: 35) Federal Agencies (organizations, departments, bureaus, divisions)