A proposal within a rambling post on crime and the chief's police blog

Mount Rainier Police Chief Michael E. Scott runs a fantastic crime blog for our city. Check it out in my blog list in the right-hand column. My only suggestion would be to include police items not directly related to crime, like community activities, traffic control issues, or emergency preparedness. I would also like the convenience of finding Chief Scott's regular reports to the city council on the blog.

I suppose the above qualifies as a point in itself, but I began this post with a different purpose. As I have read the blog over almost a year and a half, the trouble spots in Mount Rainier have become very apparent. For example, on the north side: 7-11, Grand China, the other 7-11, and BP.

For those who don't know, either an organized group of criminals or a gaggle of unaffiliated freelancers have been stealing purses, wallets, and cars from the BP station at Eastern and Varnum for some time. Chief Scott has warned the public repeatedly, but customers who leave valuables in unlocked cars even for a few seconds continue to lose them, and sometimes the entire car is taken. The thieves are not invisible. Eyewitnesses describe them every time, but they seem to be rarely if ever caught (please correct me if I'm wrong on that point), and the crimes continue.

I have a security camera on the outside of my house because a young man whipped it out after following my wife home from the Metro station last year. It has proven useful - mostly for watching schoolkids throw stuff at the house and once for a man who asked to inspect my alarm system. So why doesn't BP have an effective surveillance system? If they have cameras, they have never resulted in a good image of a suspect.

I suggest that Mount Rainier ask the BP station owners to install an effective system as soon as possible. In fact, I suggest that we discuss whether the city should require businesses that are also crime hot spots to invest in security systems. Perhaps the police could supervise installation and the city could partially subsidize purchase.

Weekend Update

Hey guys, save some events for another Saturday! Apparently everything is going on this weekend. If you're bored Saturday, it's your own fault. Thanks to City Council Member Jimmy Tarlau for letting me incorporate parts of his Ward Report into this roundup.

Mount Rainier Police Chief Michael E. Scott's report to the city council.

Thursday, May 19
Music from Sonya Cotton and Mount Rainier resident Will McKindley-Ward
Thursday, May 19th, 8pm at the New Community Church 614 S Street NW Washington, DC. $8 admission. "Reverence: An Evening of Music and Words Exploring Loss"

Saturday, May 21
University Park Townwide Yard Sale 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Big Green Truck Day at Magruder Park, Hyattsville 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.. 
Kids can get up close to a fleet of municipal vehicles, from a street sweeper to a police cruiser.  Free and open to the public! Rumor has it a helicopter may land around noon.

Mount Rainier Farmer’s Market begins! 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
The location has moved. On Mount Rainier Day it  will be located across the street from City Hall at the Perry Street parking lot next to the flower shop. On future Saturdays it will be at the Municipal Plaza in front of City Hall.

Mount Rainier Day Festival!
Municipal Plaza and the 3400 and 3500  Blocks of Rhode Island Avenue, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Painting the Intersection 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Local Artist Vernon Sears and coordinator/volunteer Mike Turner with other volunteers will paint the intersection of Bunker Hill Road and 34th Street in Mount Rainier during the city’s annual Mount Rainier Day Festival.  Come out and enjoy viewing of the artwork – participate in the design markings and chalking of the street.  This should be an exciting project for the city. It will consist of local artists and volunteers painting a sun design of various hues of yellow, green and blue.  The design will light up the 34th Street business district! The City of Mount Rainier is partnering with Gateway Community Development Corporation for this project.

Countdown to Splashdown at the Prince George's Pool, open to all
"It’s too early to actually get into the water at PG Pool, but the grounds will be available for inspection and use. So whenever you're done with Mt. Rainier Day, or sports or chores (and hopefully having survived the Rapture) pack up your family and some food and come on down to the Cool Pool for our annual preseason potluck. We’ll share what we have as long as you do too." Featuring Joe "Hula Man" Atkins as deejay.
4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Pool on Facebook
And Twitter

Mount Rainier performers give a show in DC
Affectations is a movement/theater performance created and performed by Dance Box Theater Co-Artistic Directors Laura Schandelmeier & Stephen Clapp with Dance Artist Ilana Faye Silverstein and Composer James Harkins.
Saturday, May 21 at 8pm
Sunday, May 22 at 7pm
Dance Place 3225 8th Street NE Washington, DC 20017

EDGEWORKS Dance Theater in "Mixer"
EDGEWORKS Dance Theater is DC's premiere all male contemporary dance company of predominately African-American men. EDT's mission is to challenge perceptions of men, to shatter stereotypes as a means to build community, and to create projects that links the arts and social justice.
Saturday, May 21, 8pm
Sunday, May 22, 7pm
Tickets $20 General Admission, $15 Seniors & Students, $10 Youth
Joe's Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd

Monday, May 23
Potluck Peace Meal followed by sharing ideas on Practicing Peace in Daily Life
Mount Rainier Christian Church, 33rd St. and Bunker Hill Rd.

Saturday, June 4
Will Campos PG County District 2 Town Hall Meeting

June 14 - July 1
ART WORKS STUDIO SCHOOL will be holding summer art camps this year
Session 1: Ages 13+ (adults encouraged) June 14-17 with Barbara Johnson
Session 2: Ages 6-8 June 20 - 24 with Ashley Ruschatz
Session 3: Ages 9-12 June 27-July 1 with Bonnie Parry
All of the teachers are experienced artists and educators and the classes and camps focus on creating confidence and joy through art-making.
You can sign up today by visiting their website or e-mailing barbara@artworksnow.org
3711 Rhode Island Avenue Mt Rainier MD 301-454-0808

House for sale downtown

The realtor who sold us our house on Arundel is also selling this house downtown at 3400 Bunker Hill Rd. right by Glut. I've been inside and it looks like it's in great condition. The house has a dedicated microsite:

"Spacious 4 bedroom w/full basement + tons of storage. Open floor plan with limitless possibilities. Hardwood on main level and carpet upstairs. Beautiful front porch is dying for a swing or retire to the privacy of your huge backyard. Off Street Parking. Conveniently located steps from downtown Mt. Rainier and 1 traffic light to DC."

 

MLS #: PG7583768

News and upcoming events

NEWS

Election results
Jimmy Tarlau won another four-year term representing Ward 1 on the city council with 96 votes and no opponent. Bill Updike, who was serving Ward 1 on the city council by appointment, won a two-year term with 91 votes and no opponent. In Ward 2 attorney Brent Bolin defeated physician Adrienne Charles 112-46 for the open seat left by Council Member and former Mayor Brian Knedler's decision to not run. I can only calculate the voter turnout approximately, but it was south of 3 percent and perhaps closer to 2 percent. See the Gazette's take.

Have you "liked" Glut on Facebook yet? Also on Facebook: Joe's Movement Emporium, St. John's, Mount Rainier Historic District, Mount Rainier Farmers Market, and the Mount Rainier community page which so far is just a compilation of our blog posts but could be a lot more!

The first Thursday of every month Gateway CDC shows a free art-related movie. Yesterday's was Orson Welles' F for Fake. Next month: something else fantastic. 3901 Rhode Island Ave. Brentwood.

It looks like actor Jay Baruchel is in talks to write a screenplay called The Exorcism Diaries. Will this be yet another exorcist story set in Mount Rainier, or will Cottage City start getting its due? "[The] tale centers on a reporter searching for the truth behind the most famous exorcism in history, but soon discovers that the real-life story is not quite finished. As a result, she finds herself in harm’s way of the same supernatural entity that she is chasing."

Mount Rainier is getting money for trees! We're already one of the greenest DC-area neighborhoods but we'll be getting even greener.

Every Saturday from 1-4 p.m., 4001 33rd. St.: "Mt. Rainier Christian Church is hosting Inspired Teens, for ages 12-17, beginning Saturday, April 30, and continuing for every Saturday after that, from 1-4PM.  We will have video games with 5 TVs, pool, ping pong, air hockey, foosball, board/card games, arts/crafts, discussion about issues teens face, and homework help/tutoring.  Bring your student ID with you, and a parent/guardian must come with each teenager the first time they attend, to fill out forms and see the program.  We are a Christian Church, but this program is open to youth of all backgrounds, and we will not pressure anyone with our beliefs. We are also having a dance on May 7 and a talent show on May 21, and hope youth can attend those as well.  Call Pastor Brian Adams at 301-864-3869 with any questions or to let us know you are attending. We hope to see you soon!"


EVENTS

Saturday May 7 
1-3 p.m.
Free Workshop: How Square Foot Gardening Can Help You Live Like a “Locavore”
When: Saturday, May 7, 1 pm to 3 pm
Where: Old Parish House, 4711 Knox Road, College Park, MD 20740

3:30 p.m.
Take a free three-hour bike cruise to look for local wild-growing edibles, then take the haul to Rhose Island Reds to eat a local salad. Meet with your bikes at the Mount Rainier Bike CoOp, 3601 Bunker Hill Rd.

7 p.m.
Time Leaves Us These Bones
"An evening of dance and theater includes "Fossil," a work for 5 dancers and 2 musicians, that explores the memories that emanate from objects and stories that we hold dear. The program also includes a new work from the participants in the Joe's Learning Center. A rich in movement, music and story performance that you won't want to miss." 3309 Bunker Hill Road


Wednesday May 11
10am-12pm
Toddler Time at Art Works Studio will be held Wednesday instead of Friday because of preparations for the Spring Art Show (see May 14). 3711 Rhode Island Avenue

Friday May 13
7:30 p.m.
Mount Rainier originals Emma's Revolution in concert at Joe's Movement Emporium. 3309 Bunker Hill Road
Watch a video of "Swimming to the Other Side": For tickets (going fast): https://joesmovement.secure.force.com/ticket

Saturday May 14
12-5 p.m.
7th Annual Gateway Open Studio Tour
"Get up close and personal with legions of local artists in their studios and see the work of this intensely creative community. Free shuttle bus transportation is available along the Route 1 / Rhode Island Avenue corridor to help get you to all the venues on the tour OR ... drive, walk, bike your way along this self guided tour. Maps and more information available at www.gatewaycdc.org and www.gatewayopenstudios.com in advance of the tour, or at the Gateway Arts Center on the day of the tour."

2-4 p.m.
Spring Art Show at Art Works Studio, 3711 Rhode Island Avenue.

8 p.m.
Nano
Quest Visual Theater, based in Prince George's County, MD is internationally recognized for its innovative work in visual theatre and its leadership in welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. "Nano," under the direction of Drew Richardson, explores the use of nanotechnology and its impact on our world and lives. The work incorporates digital media, masks, and movement into a surreal exploration of the nano world.
Joe's Movement Emporium 3309 Bunker Hill Road

City Council Member-elect Brent Bolin

Congratulations to Brent Bolin, winner of the contested Ward 2 City Council seat! I can tell he knows municipal issues thoroughly and has Mount Rainier's best interests at heart. And I hope his opponent Adrienne Charles continues her valuable contributions to city affairs.  

Vote tomorrow, Monday May 2

Vote at Star-Potts Hall, 3405 Rhode Island Avenue, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Enter the door that faces the bus terminal just behind the Terminal Snack Bar.