Community Connections Newsletter

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Thursday, December 16, 2021

Prince George's Proud:

An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks


Dear Prince Georgians:

Last week, in partnership with the Board of Directors of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS EquestrianTM, we announced that the prestigious equestrian event has officially applied to the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) to host the 64th edition of the historic competition right here at our very own Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro in 2022.

We are proud to welcome the Washington International Horse Show to Prince George’s County, and want to thank the WIHS Board of Directors and President Victoria Lowell for allowing our County and the State of Maryland the opportunity to host this world-class event. The Show Place Arena will be transformed with the support of the County government, The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, and the State of Maryland to provide the outstanding exhibitor and unique spectator experience WIHS has always provided, including world-class footing, hospitality, entertainment, food, and shopping. WIHS will also partner with the National Harbor to create a WIHS Hotel and Hospitality Campus offering exhibitors, spectators, and sponsors special access to top lodging, entertainment, and community events, including the popular WIHS Kids’ Day. 

Prince George’s County is home to so many attractions, amenities, and entertainment options, and we are excited to welcome visitors from across the globe to experience all that our County has to offer. This prestigious horse show coming to Prince George’s County is another shining example of why our County is the Crown Jewel of Maryland. In addition, we expect this competition to provide and economic boost for our hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the County. When Washington, D.C. previously hosted this six-day tournament, it brought in approximately $11 million in revenue.

The WIHS is also excited about this new chapter in the history of the show and hopes that riders, trainers, owners, and equestrian fans will come experience WIHS at The Show Place Arena and at National Harbor in October 2022. We will announce additional details about the event in the coming months, but you can view a news story about the horse show here.

We also have many other great things to be proud of happening right here in our County. A few weeks ago, one of our very own Prince George’s County Public Schools teacher, Ms. Keishia Thorpe, won the 2021 Global Teacher Prize, competing against more than 8,000 educators from 121 countries. Ms. Thorpe is a 12th grade English teacher at the International High School at Langley Park in Bladensburg. We are Prince George’s Proud of Ms. Thorpe and how she has represented our County on the global stage.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet Ms. Thorpe, congratulate her on this tremendous achievement, and thank her for all she does for our children. In honor of Ms. Thorpe’s accomplishments and her innovative leadership, I was proud to present her a proclamation where we officially proclaimed Tuesday, December 14, 2021 as Keishia Thorpe Day in Prince George’s County. Please join us in thanking Ms. Thorpe for her exemplary service to the children of Prince George’s County, and for working hard to ensure greatness continues to grow in our school system.

Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive

K. Thorpe

COVID-19 Updates

County Vaccination Clinic Relocation

Vaccine Site Relocation

The County Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex closed on Sunday, December 12. The County’s COVID-19 vaccination clinic relocated to Prince George’s Community College at the Largo Student Center with vaccinations resuming today. Please note that walk-ins will not be accepted at the Prince George’s Community College today, December 16 and Friday, December 17. Beginning next week, walk-ins are accepted but appointments are encouraged. Residents can learn more about clinic hours and find additional vaccination clinics here.


COVID-19 Booster Update

Booster Update December

Based on the latest guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the County Health Department is now offering booster shots of the Pfizer vaccine to individuals 16 and older, in addition to the previously approved Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots for individuals 18 and older.

Individuals ages 16 and older are eligible to receive a booster shot if they received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago. Individuals ages 18 and older are eligible to receive a booster shot if they received the Moderna vaccine at least six months ago or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. The FDA and the CDC allow for mix and match dosing for booster shots. Eligible individuals, 18 years and older who prefer a vaccine brand may choose which one they receive as a booster dose, regardless of the brand they previously received. For more information on COVID-19 booster shots or to locate a vaccine clinic near you, visit the County Health Department website here.


PGCPS COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

PGCPS Vaccine

In collaboration with the County Health Department, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) continues to host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics at elementary and high schools through January. New clinic dates have been added during the PGCPS winter break. County residents ages 5 and older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at these clinics, including booster doses for individuals ages 16 and older. Schedule your child’s first dose appointment here. COVID-19 vaccines for eligible children are also available at pediatricians’ offices, retail and grocery store pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers throughout the County.


PGCMLS COVID-19 Testing

PGCMLS test kits

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is offering free COVID-19 self-test kits at select library branches. Test kits are replenished on a biweekly basis. Individuals interested in picking up a test kit should call 240-455-5451 to verify availability prior to visiting a library branch to pick up a test kit.


Stand Up & Deliver

SU&D Logo

We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program

Friday, December 17 at 12:30 PM (Groceries and/or Meals)

  • Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church – 211 Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20747
  • Turner Memorial AME Church – 7201 16th Place, Hyattsville, MD 20783

Saturday, December 18 at 11:30 AM (Groceries and/or Meals)

  • United Baptist Church – 7701 Riverdale Road, New Carrollton, MD 20784

Wednesday, December 22 at 12:30 PM (Groceries and/or Meals)

  • Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD 20784
  • Kingdom Fellowship at High Point High School – 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
  • Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School – 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20783
  • Maple Springs Baptist Church – 4131 Belt Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743
  • New Home Baptist Church – 8320 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785
  • Victory Grace Center at Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Place, Bladensburg, MD 20710

Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.


Beautification Initiatives

Litter Blitz

Litter Blitz

In 2021, we collected over 2 million pounds of litter along County roadways, and we are not letting up! In partnership with the State Highway Administration (SHA), we recently launched a litter blitz on State and County roads. Over the next month, our teams will be out picking up litter so we can keep our County clean and beautiful. SHA cleaned up portions of MD-450 and MD-214 on Friday, December 10, while County crews cleaned side streets around those roadways. We want to thank our Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) crews who collected 3.18 tons of trash on County roads last Friday, as well as the State for their support with this month-long litter blitz.


Take Our Pledge Today!

Keep County Clean

Are you Prince George's Proud? Then take our pledge to adopt at least one new green behavior and encourage others to do the same. Take the pledge today here! Learn about how to become more environmentally friendly by visiting the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign here.


County News For You

Christmas Day Holiday Waste Schedule

Christmas Collection Schedule

Regular organics collection (includes food scraps and yard trim) and regular curbside trash and recycling collection will remain on schedule the week of Monday, December 20 through Friday, December 24. Most County facilities will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Saturday, December 25. For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.


PGCMLS Holiday Schedule

PGCMLS

The Prince George's County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Friday, December 24 through Monday, December 27 and New Year’s holiday from Friday, December 31 through Monday, January 3. Online resources, Libby, streaming services, and on-demand programs will be available 24/7 throughout the holidays on the PGCMLS website here and YouTube channel here. Be sure to visit your local branch to stock up on reading, cookbooks, music, and movies, and borrow an internet-enabled Chromebook to enjoy during the holidays. Please note the Spauldings Branch Library will be closed Monday, December 20 through Monday, December 27 for maintenance. Branches and Ask a Librarian will be open with regular hours Tuesday, December 28 through Thursday, December 30.


Youth Leadership Academy Applications
Now Open

OHR YLA 2022

The Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights (OHR), in partnership with the Department of Family Services’ Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Division, is pleased to announce applications for the second cohort of the Youth Leadership Academy are now open. Youth ages 12 to 22 are encouraged to apply.

OHR is the County’s civil and human rights education and enforcement agency and has four (4) divisions: investigations of allegations of discrimination; leading a coordinated collaborative response to sex and labor trafficking through the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force; implementing and managing equal access to County services regardless of English proficiency through the Language Access Compliance Program; and robust outreach and engagement programing to build community and to reduce incidents of hate, bias, and violence. In addition, OHR oversees an immigration defense program for detained Prince Georgians.

OHR welcomes all interested youth to contact their office at OHRStaff@co.pg.md.us or visit their website here for more information.


10th Annual Operation Warm Coat Distribution

OCR Coat Distro Colalge

The Office of Community Relations (OCR) is hosting its 10th Annual Operation Warm Coat Distribution with the support of a key stakeholder, Enterprise Rent-A-Car. OCR’s general mission is to bridge the gap between the County government and the community, which includes addressing the needs of Prince Georgians in many ways, such as helping to keep men, women, and children safe and warm during the winter months. According to the latest Census data, 8.7% of the County’s total population of 967,201 is living in poverty. Many residents do not have the resources to acquire the basic standards for a quality life. This annual program provides the opportunity to assist in this disparity.  

OCR has identified 11 schools and 9 non-profit organizations throughout the 9 councilmanic districts in the County where they will have the opportunity to distribute coats where there is the greatest need. OCR is expecting to disseminate over 500 coats through Friday, January 7 and looks forward to providing some warmth to Prince Georgians during this holiday season. Remember, together we are Prince George’s Proud!


Prince George’s County Health Connect
Open Enrollment

PGC Open Enrollment

It’s open enrollment season for health coverage! From now until January 15, you can sign up for health insurance for you and your family. If you need assistance, call the Prince George’s County Health Connect Call Center at 301-927-4500 or visit one of our enrollment centers to learn more about your options.


CDC Highlights County’s PreventionLink Program

PreventionLink

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national marketing newsletter for December features our County Health Department’s efforts to help residents prevent and manage chronic diseases. The Make Marketing Work newsletter highlights PreventionLink, which is a collaboration between local health departments, community partners, and health literacy experts in the County and three surrounding counties across Southern Maryland. PreventionLink’s goal is reducing the burden of diabetes, hypertension, and stroke in underserved areas by examining and reducing the barriers people often face to access high-quality care and the coordination of that care. To learn more about PreventionLink and other Health Department wellness programs, please visit the County Health Department website here.


Spotlight On Prince George's

Vice President Kamala Harris Visits Prince George’s County

CEX and VP Harris

Photo Courtesy of Robert R. Roberts, Washington Informer

Earlier this week, Vice President Kamala Harris, along with several other Biden Administration officials, visited Prince George’s County to tour the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s Maintenance Facility in Brandywine and receive a briefing on our electric vehicle program. Check out this article featuring the Vice President’s visit here.


Macy’s Make-a-Wish Surprise

Macy's Make-a-Wish

Photo Courtesy of Macy's

Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic partnered with Macy's in Prince George's County to grant the wish of a 4-year-old girl named Abi, who had been diagnosed with a blood disorder and has always had a dream of being a model on the Macy’s billboard. Check out this article featuring Abi and her story here.