The coloring books, drawn by Big Planet Comics employee John Staton, are being released to city businesses May 7 by the College Park Neighborhood Business Alliance — a coalition formed in January by the city and local business to hopefully foster a more-sustainable economic environment.

Its first task was to create a poster featuring various storefronts, designed by alumnus and former Diamondback cartoonist Staton. But officials said the project has taken on a life of its own since then.

The poster turned into a comic book, which features Tom and Terry the Terrapin, two characters who traverse different city businesses, such as Coldstone Creamery and Zips Drycleaners. Businesses paid a $300 fee to be included in the coloring book, which also provides paper cut-outs resembling each store to make a mini, three-dimensional College Park.

“For years, I’ve been watching the stores fall out. … I think the idea of an organization that helps them pull their resources together and have advertising more than one store can afford is laudable,” Staton said. “There doesn’t seem to be as much support for the mom and pop shops. … It’s good to see [members of the community] succeed.”

In addition to the coloring book, the alliance will provide local businesses with advertising opportunities to create awareness for otherwise unknown city gems, officials said.

“It gets people to think, to talk, and gets them to explore other locations,” said Michael Libcke, the group’s president. “[We want] to help independent businesses market themselves and let themselves be known, so that way we can help them increase their business and become stronger so they can be able to stay.”

— Rachel Roubein

University Police Lt. Philip Tou cruised by the pizza joint and found an atmosphere that wasn’t quite to his liking: lights off, a crowd of patrons and booming music.

Tou later contacted University Police, city code enforcement and a liquor inspector, among others, to raise concerns about the eatery’s operations.

From: Linda Carter [attorney for Vito’s]

To: Vito Riccio;

Subject: FW: UMPD CCN: 2001-00011832: Vito’s Pizza

Sent: Thu, Feb 24, 2011 3:07:36 PM

Gentlemen,

You have a significant problem with college park. Please see below.

From: Bob Ryan [College Park public services director]

Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:33 PM

To: Philip Tou [University Police]; John J McGroarty [Prince George’s County liquor board]

Subject: RE: UMPD CCN: 2001-00011832: Vito’s Pizza

Please be advised that the Property Use Agreement (PUA) between the City and Vito Riccio does not allow him to operate Vito’s Pizzeria in the manner described by Lt. Tou. The City PUA covenants, in fact, require Vitos: to comply “strictly with the restrictions and requirements of the State of Maryland / Prince George’s County Class B, License”; to ”ensure music levels that allow patron conversation in a normal tone of voice”; to ensure that “no cover or door charge will be charged for entry to the Property”; to “limit musical entertainment within the first six months after issuance of the license to karaoke and DJ’s”; to ensure that “alcoholic beverages shall be served only to diners sitting at tables or counters inside the restaurant facility, and patrons standing or sitting at the bar or waiting for a table”; “ licensee agrees to comply fully with all applicable laws”, such as fire code requirements for certified crowd manager training and crowd capacity limits; “licensee shall use a scanner system, as allowed by law ,designed to recognize false identification prior to making alcoholic beverage sales. The scanner shall be used for all persons who appear to be under the age of thirty five (35) years”. The PUA prohibits: “annoyance or nuisance to persons or businesses on surrounding property” . There are additional requirements and prohibitions in the City PUA, but these seem to directly apply to the conditions reported by Lt. Tou.

The Mayor and Council are being notified by copy of this response and police report, in order to consider any appropriate action such as scheduling a work session meeting with Mr. Riccio to discuss compliance with the PUA contract. Also by copy, City Code Enforcement, City Contract and County Police, County Chief Liquor Inspector, and County Fire Marshal are being notified so they may monitor this business for appropriate code compliance.

Mr. Riccio and his attorney are being copied so that they may ensure compliance with applicable laws and the City PUA.

From: Tou, Philip

Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:42 AM

To: John J McGroarty

Cc: Christopher Jagoe [University Police]; Marc Limansky [University Police]; Bob Ryan

Subject: UMPD CCN: 2001-00011832: Vito’s Pizza

John,

We need to have a sit down with the owner(s) and managers of Vito’s Pizza asap. They are a mist of being a mini Thirsty Turtle. Based on the comments made by Vito, I think he is trying too hard to survive and doing whatever it takes. In talking to the managers at the establishment, I don’t think they know what they are allowed to do, or even what they are doing among themselves. The manager I spoke with seemed like a Frat boy who got caught running an house party. Vito himself was trying to divert what was going on; lots of conflicting excuses.

I ended up writing a report on the incident. My narrative is below.

Please call me at [REDACTED] to see what we can figure out. I do not want to see him loose his business, but I think he needs to be clear on operating guidelines.

Thanks.

On February 23, 2011 at approximately 0108 hrs, this officer, Lt. P. Tou #115, was in the area Baltimore Ave at Hartwick Rd, College Park, Prince George’s County, MD. At this time, this officer noted a large crowd at the entrance doors of Vito’s Pizza located at 7313 Baltimore Ave, Suite A, College Park, Prince George’s County, MD. That based on this officer’s training and experience, several of the individuals looked under the legal drinking age.

This officer noted that the lights inside the establishment were completely turned off, and that the only visible light was from the glow of the flat screen televisions mounted on the wall. The music was extremely loud, and the capacity inside was full to the point that people were packed standing next to each other.

As this officer approached the front doors, it was noted that patrons began turning and walking away. This officer made contact with the bouncer (B/M) who was at the main entrance doors. This officer asked the asked him to get the manager. The bouncer indicated that the manager was inside somewhere in the rear. This officer met with another B/M who identified himself as the manager. This officer noted that the music was so loud that this officer was unable to hear the individual. Once outside, this officer advised the manager that it was his understanding that Vito’s was supposed to be a restaurant that served alcohol, and not a night club. The manager asked what he could do, whereby this officer suggested that he turn off the music, turn the lights up and clear some of the people out. It was noted that the manager turned on the lights completely, turned off the music and began clearing out the establishment. When asked, the manager verified that everyone inside the establishment was supposed to be 21 yoa, and that they had checked everyone’s identification before entering.

At this time, this officer stopped a W/F later identified as [NAME REDACTED] who was leaving through the front doors of the establishment. When asked for ID, [SHE] stated she did not have any and that she left it at home. This officer then advised that she had to have shown ID to enter the establishment. When asked for her wallet, [SHE] pulled away. [SHE] was then handcuffed. It was noted that as [SHE] was being handcuffed, she began twisting away from this officer and pulled her arms out from her sides. Once secured, [SHE] was taken to this officer’s patrol vehicle. Recovered from [HER] wallet was a Virginia Driver’s License listed to a Rebecca Danielle NEWBERGER with a listed DOB of 06/09/1986. It was noted that NEWBERGER’s photograph resembled [THE STUDENT]. It was noted that [SHE] stated that she did not use the ID to enter the establishment. [SHE] was identified based on credit cards in her possession. This officer was able to locate a Driver’s License record for [HER] through Pennsylvania with a listed DOB of 03/02/1990 (20 yoa). [SHE] advised that she went in the establishment with friends, paying $5.00 to enter. [SHE] stated that she purposely caused some confusion, telling the bouncer that she had already paid. [SHE] stated that the bouncer did not ask her for ID. As this officer was dealing with [HER], the manager walked by and at this time, this officer advised the manager that [SHE] was under the legal drinking age and was inside the establishment. [SHE] described the bouncer that let her in to the manager. The manager later returned advising that the owner, Vito was en route to the establishment.

It was noted that owner Vito arrived on the scene and was extremely agitated. There was also a second W/M who identified himself as a manager as well. It was noted that Vito was argumentative at times, stating that the City of College Park was allowing him to operate in such a fashion. When this officer described the atmosphere at the establishment, it was noted that Vito stated that the lights were dimmed. It was noted that Vito had little comment when asked how his staff could adequately monitor the patrons and ensure that they were not over serving being that the lights were off and the capacity was so full. This officer advised Vito that he was running the establishment consistent with what the Thirsty Turtle was doing. It was noted that Vito asked to see the ID used to enter the establishment, when told that the female claimed that her ID was never checked, Vito went to the bouncer and appeared to have terminated him. As this officer was leaving, it was noted that Vito later claimed that the female could have been there for Pizza which was a separate line that did not require someone to be 21 yoa. When told that the female entered paying $5.00, Vito advised that they would not have charged a fee to get food. It was pointed out to Vito that his manager had told this officer something different as to what was going on, and that there appears to be a miscommunication between his staff that needs to be worked out.

This officer later spoke with a W/M who identified himself as another manager. When It was noted that the manager stated that they did were on fluorescent lights and that they were working on changing the lights so that they could be dimmed and need to work on establishing tighter operating procedures.

Information was taken from [THE STUDENT] in exchange for her cooperation in testifying before the Prince George’s County Liquor Board.

This officer will contact the City of College Park and the Prince George’s County Liquor Board to have a meeting with the owner and managers of Vito’s Pizza.

CASE CONTINUES.

But while his older colleagues might go outside to vent, or just roll their eyes and slump in their seats, Molinatto takes his exasperation to Twitter.

“let’s bring back punching-in-the-face as an acceptable rebuttal to an ignorant statement,” he wrote at around 10 p.m., after multiple “amendments to the amendment” on council agenda items.

But that wasn’t his first grumpy tweet of the evening.

Molinatto had already criticized his fellow council members for casting oral votes in imperfect unison.

“let’s talk about voting in opposition when the mayor calls for opposers to say, ‘nay.’ do it when he asks, people! it’s not hard! idiots!!” he wrote of the people who were at that moment sitting just a few feet away at the same table.

“As elected officials, we should have a sense of humor about ourselves as we do stupid things,” Molinatto said in an interview during a break in the council meeting.

Luckily, other council members understand Molinatto’s wit.

“Jonathan has a very wry sense of humor, and if I didn’t know that I might be offended,” said District 4 Councilwoman Mary Cook.

“My wife told me I should stop doing that,” Molinatto said.

It’s cold.  It’s dark.  It’s freaking raining.  But hundreds of people are in line in front of the Comcast Center, drinking coffee and trying to figure out which security people are Secret Service.  Holy crap folks, Obama is really coming.

The line at the Comcast Center at about 5:20 a.m.

A little after 4 a.m., the line was modest.  About 35 people were chilling out inside the Lot 6 parking garage, putzing around and talking about how they weren’t expecting to be at the front of the line.  Freshman letters and sciences major Raquel Zuniga, who showed up at just before 4 after not going to sleep, was at the front of the pack.

“It’s a little epic,” she said. “He came last year and I missed it.  I’m not going to miss it this time.”

[a brief quiet period in which some more people stumble into the garage but nothing of significance occurs]

At 5 a.m., somebody at the front of the line thought he was being told it was time to go and triggered a stampede — the hundred or so people in line all snapped awake and jogged forward, which, it turns out, was not what the police wanted everybody to do.  A woman with a badge and a really loud voice informed everyone of such, and we were right back where we started, but now people were starting to come in pretty steadily.  I kept talking to people, and everybody said the same thing — Yeah, I’m here to see Obama.  Yeah, I voted for him.  No, I don’t really understand the health care debate.  He’ll explain it to me today.

Then some dude plowed into me.  I was having a perfectly enjoyable conversation with three women from Buffalo who travelled all over — Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina — with the Obama campaign for over a year when everybody started moving again, except with more gusto.  Officials were moving the line.

At first, everyone was pretty much maintaining order, moving down the hill to the bottom of the main Comcast Center steps, but when the crowd hit the main downhill section of the trip, things got a little hairy.

University of Maryland students calmly moving the line down the hill

Everybody was running, and these poor women I was talking to didn’t stand a chance.  One got lost and another lost the bag to her camping chair, and everybody else was either out of breath or way farther back in the line than when they started.  I went to the front to see how they fared.  Raquel lost her spot too.

[Time passes.  The sun comes out.  People continue pouring into the area.  I go to the roof of the parking garage.  The clock strikes 7:20.]

Also, if you have any pictures or interesting tales from the rally day experience, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail — abdilldbk at gmail dot com, dude.  That’s where the party’s at.

And like the average court appearance, they were not there because of quiet and respectful behavior.

These five students, who rent a house in the Old Town neighborhood, had ended up with a $500 fine for a noisy party on the first Friday of the semester, and went on to owe the city an additional $1,000 after they lustily celebrated that achievement the very next night.

“I am also a resident of 4812 Harvard Road, and I would also like to apologize,” said one student after another, approaching the council hangdog.

“I also apologize, even though I was not at the parties,” noted the last of them to speak.

Apology accepted?

“It took a lot of guts to come down here for that, and I think I’ll thank you for that,” said longtime District 2 Councilman Jack Perry, who is hard of hearing but said he’s always happy to call the police if he does pick up the sounds of a student party on his street. “Maybe you’ll recognize you wouldn’t want this next door to you. And those of us who call the city our home, and who stay here when you go home, we’ve had it.”

“The most controversial thing I’ve ever been involved in – more controversial than firing the city manager and more controversial than rent control – is the idea of ‘party permits,’” Mayor Steve Brayman said. “It just shows how sensitive our neighborhoods are with respect to noise, it’s because of years and years of abuse.”

As District 1 Councilman Jonathan Molinatto wrote during the meeting on his Twitter feed:

“paul carlson brought 5 tenants of his to apologize for their noise violations. a nice gesture. mayor and a councilmember grilled them good.”

At least the grilling will prepare them for a real court date if they plan to contest the $1,500 in fines. When officials asked them if they intended to, they were offered a bit of unintelligible muttering.

Carlson and his tenants declined to be interviewed after they finished speaking to the council.

Carlson wasn’t the only landlord at last night’s council meeting; John Hawvermale also spoke to the council to complain that the city wasn’t picking up recycling at his rental properties.

Longtime city officials appeared familiar with this complaint, pointing out he hadn’t paid his waste removal fee; he explained to them that his property taxes ought to cover it and asked for his taxes to be refunded, and argued with Mayor Brayman when he ignored this request.

Tweeted Molinatto: “landlord brings viable complaint, then loses temper and all credibility. too bad.”

Administrators say if the Purple Line, a light-rail train that would link College Park with Bethesda and New Carrollton, travels down Campus Drive, it’ll mess up sensitive research equipment with its vibrations and electromagnetic waves. They want the Purple Line to go around South Campus.

But the MTA, as well as the City of College Park, the Student Government Association and just about everybody else, say Campus Drive is the center of campus and therefore the best place to put the light-rail line.

The alignment has to be decided within two years, but until then, here’s a cool video of what it could look like going down Campus Drive:

And here’s some pictures of the Purple Line going down Campus Drive:

Purple Line by Hornbake Library

Purple Line by the Stamp Student Union

Purple Line by the College Park Metro Station

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Note: Thanks to Clay Gump at Rethink College Park for the heads up. Video and renderings from the MTA website.