Photo courtesy M-NCPPC
The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) hosted and celebrated the graduates of the inaugural Planning in Our County: A Course for Municipal Officials, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland.
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department Recognizes Participants of the Inaugural “Planning in Our County: A Course for Municipal Officials”
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
LARGO, Md. (March 18, 2026)—The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) hosted and celebrated the graduates of the inaugural Planning in Our County: A Course for Municipal Officials, on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland. Designed specifically for elected officials and leaders representing municipalities in Prince George’s County, the participants of the one-day workshop learned the ins and outs of the County’s planning and development process. Inspired by the award-winning Neighborhood Planning Academy, topics included the history and future of the County, planning and zoning, development review, multi-modal transportation and street safety, and building sustainable communities.
“Mayors, councilmembers, and municipal leaders often stand on the front lines of governance—balancing growth with preservation, economic opportunity with neighborhood stability, and innovation with accountability,” said Darryl Barnes, Chairman of M-NCPPC and the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “Through this course, we are equipping our community leaders with a clear understanding of the planning process that shapes our shared future.”
“As a spin to our Neighborhood Planning Academy, the municipal leaders collaborated in a charrette-style activity to form steps to resolve an issue in the community,” said James Hunt, Acting Planning Director of the Prince George’s County Planning Department. “The participants immediately used knowledge gained from the course curriculum to address real-life challenges.”
The spring 2026 class of municipal officials and leaders included:
• William Barclay, Public Works Director, City of New Carrollton
• Greg Barnes, Councilmember, City of Hyattsville
• Trina Brown, Council Member, Town of Bladensburg
• Theresa Brownson, Councilmember, Town of Forest Heights
• R. David Chambers, Councilmember, Town of Morningside
• Gopi Dhokai, Councilmember, City of Hyattsville
• Shelley Dorsey-Washington, Treasurer, Town of North Brentwood
• Sarah Franklin, Councilmember, Town of Upper Marlboro
• Faith Ford, Council Member, Town of Capitol Heights
• Frankie Fritz, Councilmember, City of Greenbelt
• Edouard Haba, Councilmember, City of Hyattsville
• John Hoatson, Town Manager, Town of Cottage City
• Glenda Johnson, Councilmember, Town of Landover Hills
• Troy Barrington Lilly, President, Town of Forest Heights
• Danielle McKinney, Council Member, City of Greenbelt
• Phelecia Nembhard, Mayor, City of New Carrollton
• Paula Noble, Councilwoman, Town of Forest Heights
• Ray Ranker, Councilmember, City of College Park
• Kyrthlyn Rhoda, Grant Manager, City of Seat Pleasant
• Joseph Solomon, Councilmember, City of Hyattsville
• Agnelli Sybel Malavé, Councilmember, City of New Carrollton
• Christopher Wade, Council Member, Town of Cheverly
• Kristen Weaver, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Greenbelt
• Wanda Wheatley, Commissioner, Chair, Town of Cottage City
For more information on the Neighborhood Planning Academy, visit: https://academy.pgplanning.com. Prince George’s County residents and stakeholders may join the mailing list to receive announcements on applications for upcoming courses.
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County Library’s Annual “Geek Out Expo” Set to Bring Pop Culture Fun to Hyattsville Branch Library This Weekend
By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s Memorial Library System
Largo, Md. (March 20, 2026)—On Saturday, March 28, the Prince George’s Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) will host its 4th annual Geek Out Expo, a free, all-day festival where community members of all ages are invited to join the Library and local partner organizations in celebrating all things “geeky” in pop culture.
Started in 2023 at the New Carrollton Branch Library, Geek Out Expo brings together staff from across the Library system and builds on the Library’s popular year-round manga, anime, gaming, and other pop culture programming. Rotating to a new PGCMLS branch each year, Geek Out Expo creates a fun, energy-filled environment that is equally welcoming to community members who come to the Library to play chess, “Dungeons & Dragons,” or “Magic: The Gathering”; manga and anime fans who screen favorites at one of the system’s many “MAC Party” (“Manga and Anime Club”) events; and K-pop, Pokémon, and animation enthusiasts who come out for the Library’s regular one-off themed programs and events throughout the year.
“Geek Out Expo is my favorite event of the year,” says Isaiah West, PGCMLS Teen Services Specialist and lead Geek Out Expo organizer. “It’s a time for our community to connect over their favorite ‘geeky’ fandoms, through programs and with partners specifically chosen to celebrate how those fandoms bring us together.”
This year’s Geek Out Expo will be held at the metro-accessible Hyattsville Branch Library from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. Featured local “geeky” partners include Artway Alliance, the Pirate Girl Painter, Game Kastle College Park, Boba Studios, and DC’s Korean Cultural Center. Following an enormously successful 2025 event that saw more than 400 attendees at the Surratts-Clinton Branch Library last year (many of them in their finest cosplay!), the Library is anticipating another robust turnout for 2026.
The full line-up of this year’s Geek Out Expo events is listed below.
PGCMLS Geek Out Expo
Free | Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | All Ages | Hyattsville Branch Library
Fun for all ages! Let your inner “geek” out at the annual PGCMLS’ Geek Out Expo. Join the Library and partners for a free, fun-filled day of creativity, camaraderie, and all things nerdy. From game demos (including “Magic: the Gathering” and an introduction to indie gaming) to face painting, pop culture cosplay, and Pokémon fun, Geek Out Expo is the perfect blend of excitement and community spirit!
The day’s activities include:
10:30 a.m. (pre-festival)
Geek Out Expo: Ready 2 Read Storytime: Ages 3–5 | Storytime Room
Bring your preschooler for the Hyattsville Branch Library’s weekly “Ready 2 Read Storytime!” Costumes are encouraged in celebration of Geek Out Expo festivities.
11 a.m.
Face Painting Presented by the Pirate Girl Painter
Ages 0–12 | Art Room
The Pirate Girl Painter transforms faces with dazzling designs inspired by kids’ favorite superheroes. First come, first served.
Coloring Fun
Ages 0–5 | Conference Room 1
Young artists can enjoy a relaxed coloring activity designed just for little kids.
11:15 a.m.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament for Kids
Ages 6–12 | Meeting Room 2
Test your skills, strategize your moves, and compete against fellow players for victory. Registration begins in-person at 10:45 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Pokémon Go & Draw Presented by Artway Alliance
Kids and Teens | Learning Lab
Level up your creativity with Team ArtWay! In this workshop, participants will learn how to draw their favorite Pokémon.
Game Demo Presented by Game Kastle College Park
Teens and Adults | Conference Room 2
Test out new tabletop games with a demo led by Game Kastle College Park.
12 p.m.
Craft and Create
Kids through Adults | Conference Room 1
Follow step-by-step instructions to make fun projects like stuffies, fidget chains, bookmarks, and photo frames.
12:30 p.m.
Balloon Twisting Presented by the Pirate Girl Painter
Ages 0-12 | Art Room
Marvel at the Pirate Girl Painter’s talent as she twists and shapes balloons into imaginative creations straight out of your favorite cosplay, anime, and gaming worlds.
1 p.m.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament for Adults
Ages 18+ | Meeting Room 2
Test your skills, strategize your moves, and compete against fellow players for victory. Registration begins in-person at 10:45 a.m.
The Making of a Pop Culture Powerhouse Presented by DC’s Korean Cultural Center
Ages 10+ | Learning Lab
Explore Korea’s fascinating transformation from a nation rebuilding after war to a global pop culture powerhouse.
Game Demo Presented by Game Kastle College Park
Teens and Adults | Art Room
Test out new tabletop games with a demo led by Game Kastle College Park.
Learning Magic the Gathering
Teens and Adults | Conference Room 2
Step into the world of “Magic: The Gathering” and learn to play this legendary card game!
2 p.m.
Costume Dance Party
Ages 0–5 | Storytime Room
Dress up and hit the dance floor at our “Costume Bibliobop” dance party!
2:30 p.m.
Game Demo Presented by Game Kastle College Park
Teens and Adults | Art Room
Test out new tabletop games with a demo led by Game Kastle College Park.
Indie Gaming Presented by Boba Studios
Teens and Adults | Learning Lab
Get an inside look at the world of indie game development with Boba Studios, a Baltimore-based game studio.
3 p.m.
Super Smash Bros. Tournament for Teens
Ages 13–18 | Meeting Room 2
Test your skills, strategize your moves, and compete against fellow players for victory. Registration begins in-person at 10:45 a.m.
Anime Trivia
Kids through Adults | Conference Room 2
Think you know your anime? Put your knowledge to the test at our Anime Trivia showdown!
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is a beacon within its diverse and dynamic community. The Library serves Prince George’s County, Maryland’s 966,000+ residents through 19 public branches, a law library in the County Correctional Center, various pop-up services and events, and 24/7 access to free online resources. As a trusted and responsive community leader, PGCMLS democratizes knowledge and opportunity by providing safe, accessible spaces where customers of all backgrounds can freely engage with the resources needed to build knowledge, literacy, skills, and creativity at every phase of life. Learn more at www.pgcmls.info/about-us
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