New Baby Arrived!
Wanted to share on a personal note, that my wife and I welcomed our new little tyke last month! - I’m happy to report that mom and baby are doing good and recovering well. Also that his brothers are very excited to have their new little buddy (even if he can’t play and run with them just yet). ;)
Our thanks to the Mayor, fellow members of Council, and City Staff for their support and congratulatory notes. And a hearty thanks as well to so many of you who have sent your well wishes and supportive comments in person - we truly appreciate them! :)
I also wanted to give a huge note of admiration for the strength, courage, and love of all mothers out there! - The gift of new life is something that never ceases to amaze me and is truly special. Thank you!! :)
New Small Business Grant Opens Sep 3 on First-Come Basis
The new Laurel Thrive Grant I mentioned earlier this month was just launched - applications open next Tue, Sep 3 and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grant amount is $10,000, is for a business in the City limits, and can be used toward equipment, furniture, remodeling, exterior renovations, and more. (Excluded items are payroll, architectural fees, rent, and others.)
Be sure to read the full requirements and have all your items ready, then head on over to the Thrive Small Business Grant page to submit your application.
Fall Parks & Rec Activities Announced!
Resident should see in their mailbox this week the latest Parks & Rec brochure for fall activities. Whether fall community events, adult or youth trips, fall sports leagues, the City’s pre-school program or more, there’s sure to be something for everybody. :)
Some highlights that caught my attention:
- Free “Music at the Mansion” featuring Hispanic music Friday evening, Sep 27
- Harvest Moon Hayrides the evening for Friday, Nov 1 at Riverfront Park.
- Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec 7 at the Armory.
- Teen trip to Hershey Park Halloween on Sunday, Oct 12.
- Martial Arts classes for kids aged 3-15.
- Couples Fight Night (learn self-defense as a couple) and Bio-fitness classes for adults.
- A Toby’s Dinner Theater night for seniors on Sat, Sep 28.
- And plenty more!
Be sure to peruse your copy in the mail (or browse online) then mark your calendars for your favorite community events and even sign up for class or two to have some fun this fall. :)
Modified Trash Schedule for Labor Day
Quick reference from the Department of Public Works for the modified trash schedule around the Labor Day holiday next week.
Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend everyone!
Council Work Session - 4 Sep 2024
See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself and members of the Council as we want to serve you and the people of Laurel.
Watch live online via LaurelTV, and if you’d like to register to speak, simply reach out to the City Clerk’s office.
AGENDA
- Call to Order - James Kole, Council President
- Van Dusen Road Roadway Improvement Project- Department of Public Works with a Presentation by Century Engineering
- Ordinance No. 2029- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland, for Fiscal Year July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 and to Provide an Effective Date
- Bid Recommendation- Fourth and Fifth Street Improvements- Department of Public Works
- Bid Recommendation- Compton Avenue Alley Improvements- Department of Public Works
- Bid Recommendation- Virginia Manor Court Street Improvements- Department of Public Works
- Purchase Requisition- Rehrig Vision Service Verification Hardware/Software- Environmental Programs
- Bid Recommendation- Back-up Generator Preplacement Project Project Phase I- Department of Community Resources and Emergency Management
Access the Amenities at Laurel’s 2 Community Centers
Last week, our family went to the Laurel Armory to get Department of Parks & Recreation Annual Admission Passes. These passes provide residents access to the amenities at both of Laurel’s two Community Centers (Laurel Armory & DiPietro Center) and the annual passes are priced at:
- Age 8-17: $11 (covers Youth Drop-in Activities, Youth Open Gym Activities, & Open Game Room)
- Age 13-17: $77 (covers Fitness Room access only)
- Age 18-54: $117 (covers Adult Drop-in Activities, Adult Open Gym Activities, & Fitness Room access)
- Age 55+: $77 (covers Adult Drop-in Activities, Adult Open Gym Activities, & Fitness Room access)
Options are also available at 6-mo., 3-mo., 1-mo., and Daily rates (plus adjusted rates for non-residents).
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Some examples of Youth Drop-in Activities are: Games Club on Tuesday evenings, Friday Night Teen Club on Fridays, and Family Basketball on Sunday mornings. Add this to Youth Open Gym times and Open Game Room times, and you can get a great value for $11.
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Examples of Adult Drop-in Activities are: Basketball, Badminton, Danceroom, Pickleball, Indoor Walk-and-Talk, and Volleyball. Add this to Adult Open Gym times plus Fitness Room access, and you can also find yourself with a great value for $117 (or just $77 for 55+).
The best neighborhood resource for a fun outlet & healthy activities (plus the opportunity to make new friends) may be right around the corner from you - So if any of the above sounds up your alley, swing on over to the Parks & Rec Community Center’s page for more information or step on into one of the two Community Centers listed above to get your pass.
(Photo: City of Laurel)
Join the St. Mark’s Emancipation Day 5k on Sep 7
It’s time for the 12th Annual St. Mark’s Emancipation Day 5k!
If you wander by McCullough Field on Saturday morning each fall, you may wonder what all those people having fun are doing? They’re running in honor of Emancipation Day and to help fight diabetes by supporting University of Maryland’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology-Midtown that serves Baltimore and the region. Organized by the congregation at historic St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on 8th Street, it’s always a great and fun time to get out in our community, meet neighbors, and do some good in the process.
And don’t worry if running isn’t your thing, you can also:
- Walk the 5k, or
- Opt for a 1k Fun Walk (also a great option for young kids), or
- If you’re not able to make it on race day, be sure to checkout the Virtual Race option to participate when/ wherever you’re at.
Follow this link to register and come on out to join the fun!
Pedestrian deaths are up in Maryland, opposite national average
For me, one of the things that can make for good community are a variety of easy and safe ways to get around town, whether walking, cycling, busing, driving, or other.
Which is why it was a little concerning to see this recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Adminsitration referencing that pedestrian deaths are up in Maryland, opposite national average:
Maryland saw an 18% increase in pedestrian deaths in 2023 amid a 5% decrease nationwide, according to preliminary data from the Governors Highway Safety Association released in June.
We’ve probably all sensed this at some level in our daily comings and goings (I know I have). Some possible helps referenced?
The Maryland Department of Transportation, which includes MVA, implemented a new Complete Streets policy June 1 that requires all its divisions to follow planning and design principles that consider the safety, access and mobility of all users in projects in state rights of way involving more than one mode of transportation, starting next year.
And there’ll even be a demo the latter part of this year to see suggested ways of designing streets better:
The first visible signs of Maryland’s new Complete Streets policy are to be temporary demonstration projects in partnership with advocacy group Smart Growth America. Targeting intersections or corridors with histories of fatalities or crashes in Bel Air, Hagerstown and Howard County, they are to be completed by fall and removed by the end of the year.
I also use it as a reminder to myself to take things a little slower out there, avoid feeling in a rush, be patient on the roads, and be extra courteous to people moving about without the protection of a car around them.
New Laurel 'Thrive Small Business' Grants open in September
Thinking about opening a business in Laurel? Or maybe moving your business to Laurel?
Well, keep your eyes peeled for a new city grant program intended to give you some financial support to accomplish – The new Laurel ‘Thrive Small Business’ grant applications will open in September, so not much longer now. Details will be released by the Department for Economic & Community Development, so check in with them when the time comes.
I really believe small business are a key part of the unique personality that makes Laurel – a huge thank you to all the small businesses that build that community here, and happy to see the City continuing to create paths and space for the small business community to truly thrive!
Reminder: Council in Recess for August
Reminder that the Laurel City Council is in recess for the month of August, and our next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be the Work Session on Wednesday, September 4, followed by the Council Meeting (virtual) on Monday, September 9. (I’ll share details for these as separate posts once available.)
Many of the City’s Boards and Commissions are also in recess for the month, such as such as the Board of Appeals or the Historic District Commission.
Of course, there’s still plenty going on around town this month, and one of the places you can checkout is the Community Calendar maintained by The Laurel Independent (scroll towards the bottom and click on “Laurel” to expand).
Hope you’re enjoying your August & the final weeks of summer! 😃☀️
Back-to-school clothing Tax Free from Aug 11-17
Getting geared up for back-to-school is fun, but expensive. 💸 The State of Maryland will help shave off at least a little of that bite if you’re purchasing clothing or backpacks next week during its annual Tax Free Week.
The gist is there’s no 6% Maryland sales tax on clothing under $100 and on the first $40 of any backpack purchase. Check out the graphic below for some common examples and here’s Maryland’s Tax Free Week FAQ for all the details.
Mural Art provides Everyday Beauty
If you’ve been to the Laurel Quill Lot on Main Street recently (perhaps for a Farmer’s Market or to eat your lunchtime sandwich), you may have seen the really wonderful wall mural pictured below – It’s the handiwork of Hyattsville retiree and working artist, Elliott Hamilton, who was commissioned by the owners of 329 Prince George Street to add some whimsy and beauty to their back wall. And it brings a smile and brightens my day each time I pass by. :)
It’s always great to see these bits-and-pieces around town where residents and businesses are bringing something beautiful to our everyday life. Kudos and thank you for adding an extra bounce to our days, even if we may not get a chance to stop and share our delight. But an encouragement to others: it’s a great excuse to strike up a conversation and get to know our neighbors better and let them know we enjoy their garden, decorations, or other. And all the more fun to do something of our own as well. :)
To learn more about Elliott, check out this article from last fall featuring his mural work on the DC Branch Trail, and also his artist website. And next time you’re around Main Street, take a moment to swing by the Laurel Quill Lot and look for the hiding bunny. ;)
Free Nats tickets for Kid Summer Readers
Looking to help motivate your kid to read more, or to spend more time reading with them? How about 2 free tickets to a Nationals baseball game at Nats Stadium in DC?
Then check out the Nationals Library Reading Program which partnered with PG County Summer Reading program to offer 2 free tickets, a free t-shirt, and a free tote bag to kids that rack up points for checking out books, attending a library event, and/or reading in 30-minute increments.
But hurry ⚡ - program ends Aug 15 and the free Nationals tickets need to be used in for regular season home game before Sep 15.
Here’s a link to learn more about the program, download the free tracking postcard, then redeem at the Laurel library (or any PG branch) – Two of my little ones just redeemed this past week with mom, and we’re all headed to the Sep 1 game against the Cubs! ⚾
Laurel Police Aug 6 National Night Out
Come grab a free hotdog, visit with a K-9 unit, catch live music, and connect with the various law enforcement groups we have here in Laurel – It’s a great night to be out for Laurel Police’s ‘41st National Night Out’ event at Granville Gude Park at Laurel Lakes from 6 - 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug 6.
We have a truly great law enforcement crew and it’s good to get to know them, get some tips about safety, and also learn about what services are available to you as a resident of Laurel.
Plus, did I mention -> the hot dogs! 🌭😉
Maryland Funds for Maryland Businesses
The MD Comptroller’s Office is hosting a series of lunch-and-learns in August to share with business owners about the tax credits, grants, programs, and funds available to help businesses expand in Maryland. The series is being co-hosted by Montgomery County at locations in Germantown, Rockville, and Silver Spring, but is applicable to all MD-based business and not too far away for those coming from the Laurel area.
Registration is free but limited seated available, so if sounds of any interest to you, be sure to check out:
- Aug 5 in Germantown from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Aug 13 in Rockville from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
- Aug 29 in Silver Spring from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
PG County Special Primary Election July 31 - Aug 6
Prince George’s County is holding a Special Primary Election from Wed, Jul 31 to Tue, Aug 6 to select candidates to replace a vacancy on the PG County Council — It’s important to know this is a Primary within the political parties (similar to the one that happened in May) and that the Councilmember will be elected as part of the General Election coming up Nov 5.
The Primary is being conduced mostly via mail-in ballot that every registered voter should have received at this point, and mailed-in responses must be postmarked no later than Aug 6 to count. There are also a list of drop-off box locations available as well as limited in-person voting options.
More information, including candidate statements, can be found at:
- Prince George’s County Board of Election page
- The Laurel Independent’s Election Guide
AAE Training & Security Assessments
This past week as part of standard Council training, we all participated in a course about ‘Active Attacker Events’. Although it can be an uncomfortable topic to think about, gaining familiarity of the basics plays a big role in being better prepared should something ever happen. For example, we discussed the three phases the human brain works through (and can sometimes even get stuck) when responding to a high stress event: Denial (wanting to believe this isn’t happening) -> Deliberation (calming yourself enough to rationally think through your alternatives) -> Decisive action (taking the decided course of action). One of the other recent evolutions for situations like these: Be an active participant in your own survival.
I was very impressed at the level of training and experience of our presenters, Laurel Police Officers Sgt. Cunningham and Sgt. Barry, and thankful our community has that expertise in play to protect our residents. And I was also impressed that they make themselves available to businesses and organizations in the City to share this information with them as well, and even to provide complimentary building security assessments and recommendations. If you’re located in town and would like to have them visit, just reach out to the Laurel Police Department to be put in touch.
Thank you officers!
Council Meeting - 29 Jul 2024
See the City of Laurel’s meeting page for the official record, and if any agenda item holds interest for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to myself and members of the Council as we want to serve you and the people of Laurel.
Watch live online via LaurelTV, and if you’d like to register to speak, simply reach out to the City Clerk’s office.
AGENDA
- Call to Order - Council President James Kole
- Roll Call - Carolyn Edwards, Administrative Assistant II, City Clerk’s Office
- Report of the Mayor and City Council
- General Public Hearing
- Second Public Hearing with Possible Action onOrdinance No. 2028- An Ordinance Amending the General Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel, Maryland for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 and Providing an Effective Date
- Adjournment
UPDATE: Miscellaneous items from session:
- Councilwoman Johnson shared about Back-2-School Community Pop-Up hosted by non-profit Angel Havinn providing school supplies to those who need them plus hosting food, music, moon bounce, more. (See below graphic for additional information.)
- Mayor Sydnor shared about Doggie Dip Day scheduled for Sep 7 at the Greenview Drive Pool where owners and their canine companions can get wet & have some fun.
Take Survey by Aug 30 for What Businesses to Have in Westside Development
The Mayor is soliciting input from the community on the types of businesses that would be most helpful to residents in the new Westside Development – That’s the one near the intersection of Van Dusen Road and Konterra Road.
Whether you’re from Ward 2, Ward 1, or the greater Laurel area, be sure to complete the online survey by Aug 30 – Around 6 simple questions that take 3 minutes, so pop on over there now to complete. :)
Maryland Wastewater Showing Spike in Viral Activity
You may have noticed anecdotally that a lot of friends, family, neighbors, and kids seem to be cropping up with variants of fever, body aches, vomiting, and diarrhea – and you wouldn’t be wrong. As of last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control was showing that Maryland wastewater was showing double the national average of viral activity. And hospitalizations have more than doubled in the past month, from 60 to 135. Thankfully, most activity is not to the level requiring hospitalization, but it is something to be aware of out there and to help take care of yourselves and others.
(via Baltimore Sun)