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Prince
George’s Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Thursday,
February 18, 2021
Dear Prince Georgians:
February is Black History Month, and we want to take some time
to recognize the historic importance of this month in 2021. The national
theme for Black History Month, “The Black Family: Representation, Identity,
and Diversity,” represents the African diaspora, and the spread of Black
families across the nation.
Over the past year, our community and our nation have grappled
with instances of inequality. Black and brown communities have suffered the
greatest risk for severe illness and deaths related to COVID-19 as a result
of disparities in our healthcare system, and this past year shows that
there is still much work to be done.
Black History Month gives us an opportunity to reflect on the
progress that we have made through centuries of struggle and perseverance,
while also recognizing and celebrating our rich history. It also gives us
an opportunity to commit ourselves to continuing to build a brighter and
more equitable future for generations to come.
I am Prince George’s Proud that our County has a number of
resources and events prepared for this month to help us reflect on and
safely celebrate Black history during Black History Month. Below, you will
find information from a variety of County agencies and organizations
detailing these resources and events. I hope everyone will take some
time to attend at least one of these events as we celebrate Black history
and commit ourselves to the work ahead.
Happy Black History Month to all, and please remember to
continue to keep each other safe by wearing masks and staying at least six
feet apart when out in public.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George's County Executive
###
§ Stand Up
& Deliver
§ Listen to the
Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Tele-Town Hall
§ COVID-19
Vaccine Discussion with Dr. Fauci
§ COVID-19
Vaccine Sites: Inclement Weather Policy
§ Face
Coverings Required During Tennis Play
§ Sidewalk Snow
and Ice Removal Inspection Program Mandates Timely Clearing of Snow and
Ice
§ PGCMLS
Celebrates Black History Month
§ Parks &
Rec Celebrates Black History Month
§ Commission
for Fathers, Men & Boys Celebrate Black Excellence
§ The Office of
Community Relations Coordinates Donation of 20 Miles of Elastic Band
§ Employ Prince
George’s Programs
§ Love Your
Heart During American Heart Month
§ Free Tax
Preparation
§ Chase Young
Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
§ Cross Family
Inducted Into Maryland Agriculture Hall of Fame
§ Beyond Books:
PGCLMS Virtual Programming Featured in Washington Post
###
Stand Up & Deliver
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, February 19 at 2:30 PM (Groceries/Meals)
- Beltsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church – 4220 Ammendale Road, Beltsville, MD
- St. Paul Church – 6419 Marlboro Pike, Forestville, MD
- Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church – 211
Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD
Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)
- Kingdom Fellowship at Hight Point High School – 3601
Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD
- New Home Baptist Church – 8320 Landover Road, Landover,
MD
- United Baptist Church – 7701 Riverdale Road, New
Carrollton, MD
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.
###
Listen to the Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Tele-Town
Hall
On Saturday, February 13, 2021, County Executive Angela
Alsobrooks held a Tele-Town Hall to provide the latest updates on COVID-19
vaccinations in Prince George’s County. Listen to the full town hall
by clicking here.
###
COVID-19 Vaccine Discussion with Dr. Fauci
On Monday, February 8, 2021, County Executive Alsobrooks
hosted a COVID-19 vaccine discussion with Dr. Anthony Fauci,
the nation’s leading infectious disease scientist and Director of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, to dispel rumors
about COVID-19 vaccines and address the issue of vaccine hesitancy. Dr. Fauci was joined by County Health Officer Dr. Ernest
Carter, and Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of University
of Maryland Capital Region Health, Dr. Joseph Wright. For the full
conversation with Dr. Fauci, click
here.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Sites: Inclement Weather Policy
While we are excited for warmer weather this spring, we are
still in the midst of winter and face the threat of inclement weather. We
want to remind residents that appointments at the County Health
Department’s vaccination clinics may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
In the event of inclement weather, please remember to check to make sure
our vaccination clinics are open before arriving for a scheduled
appointment. Updates will be communicated in several ways, including on our
vaccine webpage at mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
###
Face Coverings Required During Tennis Play
Face coverings are now required when playing tennis at
M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation facilities. Face coverings must
remain in place and cover both the nose and mouth to be considered
effective. For more information, visit http://www.pgparks.com/1209/Tennis.
###
Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal Inspection Program
Mandates Timely Clearing of Snow and Ice
The Prince George’s County Department of Permitting,
Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE) requires the prompt clearing of snow
and ice from sidewalks after snow events. Owners, tenants and managers of
residential and commercial properties with paved sidewalks adjacent to
their properties are responsible for removal of snow and ice. Responsible
parties who fail to clear sidewalks abutting their property within 24 hours
of the end of a major snow event will be issued a reminder notice by DPIE.
After another 24-hour period, a citation that carries a fine of $100 may be
issued. Additional citations may be issued for subsequent 24-hour periods.
If the snow and ice are not removed in a timely manner, the County may hire
a contractor to clear it and add the costs to the fines. For more
information, click here.
###
PGCMLS Celebrates Black History Month
Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is
celebrating Black History Month with
a lineup of virtual events for all ages. Live Virtual Read-Aloud events
take place weekly on Mondays (English), Wednesdays (Bilingual), and Fridays
(ASL) at 10:00 AM. The Library's Black Heritage web page includes
resources, books, and educational content for students, book lovers, and
lifelong learners.
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Parks & Rec Celebrates Black History Month
Celebrate and honor African American heritage during Black
History Month in February. From performances to history lessons to
festivals, there are plenty of exciting M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and
Recreation events planned this year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19
restrictions, ALL programs will be held virtually. For more information, go
to blackhistory.pgparks.com.
In addition, the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation
is hosting its Black History in Motion concert virtually. Join the
Department for a free concert journey through the American experience
recognizing the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and
culture. Enjoy the sounds of The Tribe Band performing music including
soul, R&B, blues, jazz and inspirational. You can listen to the concert
at your leisure by clicking
here.
###
Commission for Fathers, Men & Boys Celebrate
Black Excellence
On Thursday, February 18,
2021, the Prince George's County Commission for Fathers, Men and Boys
invites members of the community to participate in an enlightening evening
which will feature guest speaker Percy White from findfamilyroots.com who
will share information about Black history. Click
here for
more information.
###
The Office of Community Relations Coordinates
Donation of 20 Miles of Elastic Band
The Office of Community Relations (OCR) is dedicated to
connecting people and connecting resources. Right now, connecting with the
community has never been so important. OCR recently put their purpose into
action by connecting a proud Prince Georgian with an organization dedicated
to sewing one million face coverings to protect community members on the
frontline. Thanks to the generosity and kindness of one County resident,
353 spools of elastic band were donated to the Million Mask Challenge to
make ear straps for face coverings. Each spool contained 100 yards of
elastic bands, equating to 20 miles of elastic band. Million Mask Challenge
volunteers will sew hundreds of face coverings, using the elastic bands to
help our community and save lives.
###
Employ Prince George’s Programs
Navigate the Federal Hiring Process
Learn how to navigate the federal hiring process, find and
apply for federal jobs and create a federal resume. Participants will also
learn how to utilize USAJobs.gov and view vacancy announcements during this
free workshop. Hear from Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists,
Shirley Garner and Timothy Walter, every fourth Tuesday and Wednesday of
each month from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. To join the zoom meeting, click
here.
Career Readiness Workshops
The following is a list of Employ Prince George’s Education,
Training and Assessments Department Career Readiness Workshops:
- Resumes That Represent – Tuesdays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Interviews That Impress – Wednesdays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Soft Skills That Sell – Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
To register, visit www.employpgedge.com,
create an account and click ‘Live Meetings.’
Free Certified CAN/GNA Training Program
Employ Prince George’s, Inc. has announced a free Certified
and Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training program for English Language
Learners residing in the Riverdale area. The program, offered by the
Capital Area Healthcare Alliance, will provide eligible Prince George’s
County residents with free training to gain employment in the CNA and GNA
career field. Participants must attend one information session before
joining the program. For more information, call 301-618-8430 or email WSD@co.pg.md.us. To
register for the training program, click
here.
Inquire Within Coaching Services
The Inquire Within Coaching Services is a series of virtual
workshops, launched by the American Job Center, that helps attendees build
confidence and identify skills to help them navigate through
changes. Attendees will learn to adjust their mindsets and reframe
their circumstances in efforts to build confidence in their potential for
achievement. For more information, click
here.
Dealer School Training Program
The Hospitality and Accommodation Institute is offering a
Dealer School Training Program through Prince George’s Community College,
for eligible County residents to receive free training to gain employment
in the gaming and casino industry. MGM National Harbor will guarantee
interviews or auditions to participants who complete the program. For
more information, call 301-618-8425 or email WSD@co.pg.md.us.
###
Love Your Heart During American Heart Month
American Heart Month is celebrated each February, but this
year we are mindful of COVID-19 and the challenges the pandemic presents
for our health and well-being. Join the Health Department on Wednesday,
February 24, 2021, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, for a FREE virtual Dine, Learn
& Move program. The next session will include a gentle flow yoga
demonstration before hearing from cardiologist Dr. Sheila Woodhouse of
University of Maryland Capital Region Health. Dr. Woodhouse will guide
participants through strategies to keep hearts healthy in this environment
of increased risk. To register, email wellnessInfo@co.pg.md.us.
All ages are welcome.
Dine, Learn & Move is FREE and presented to you in
partnership with Prince George’s County Health Department, Suburban
Hospital, University of Maryland Capital Region Health, and M-NCPPC,
Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.
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Free
Tax Preparation
Get
help with your taxes. Individuals who made $57,000 or less in 2020 may
qualify for free tax preparation through the Cash Campaign of Maryland, an
IRS program that helps prepare and electronically file your federal and
state income taxes for free. Learn more by visiting https://cashmd.org/ or call 800-492-0618.
###
Chase Young Named NFL Defensive Rookie of the
Year
Congratulations to Prince George’s County’s own Chase Young on
being named the NFL’s 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year! Young is the first
rookie in NFL history and third player in NFL history to record a fumble
return touchdown, forced fumble, fumble recovery, sack and two-plus passes
defensed in a single game. The Upper Marlboro native and 2016 All
Metropolitan Defensive Player of the Year (DeMatha Catholic High School)
was the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and helped the
Washington Football Team finish as the division leader in the NFC East. We
are certainly Prince George’s Proud of Chase Young!
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Cross Family Inducted Into Maryland Agriculture
Hall of Fame
Congratulations to the Cross family of Prince George’s County,
who were recently inducted into the Maryland Agriculture Hall of Fame! The
Cross family has kept their business running throughout the COVID-19
pandemic, putting in safety measures and expanding delivery options like
curbside pickup. Their store, R&D Cross in Brandywine, has been able to
continue operations providing supplies to gardeners, farmers and animal
owners during these unprecedented times. Click
here to learn more.
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Beyond Books: PGCLMS Virtual Programming Featured
in Washington Post
Recently, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System’s
virtual programming was featured in the Washington Post. We are Prince
George’s Proud our County library system continues to provide engaging
programming for residents of all ages. To read the full article, click here.
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