The Riversdale House Museum in Riverdale Park is gaining attention for its efforts to include a more comprehensive view of how slavery worked at the historic estate.

Executive Director Maya Davis, who started in March of last year, was recently profiled by DCist for her efforts to show the lives of the 55 enslaved people who worked at the mansion.

That includes hanging a rare portrait of the Calvert family that shows an enslaved boy in the background, tracing the genealogy of enslaved people there and updating exhibits to include more information.

In one case, an exhibit of the dining room has been updated to call attention to the work done by enslaved people and creating a separate table to show the differences in what they would have had to eat.

“We are really trying to bring humanity to the people who lived and work here and rebuilding their families,” Davis told DCist.

The museum is also looking to add more Spanish-language content and more information about the Piscataway people who lived in the area.

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Le Fantome food hall is already drawing attention.

Located at 4501 Woodberry St. in the Station at Riverdale Park across from MOD Pizza, the food hall’s three dine-in options opened on Monday, Aug. 22.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Le Fantome has already proven popular with the early-morning crowd,  serving coffee from Easton-based Rise Up Coffee and pastries from Ooh La La Bakery in Silver Spring, while hot chicken eatery Sonny & Sons has cake doughnuts made on site.

There are two other dine-in options — Horu Sushi,, an eatery with options like a tuna tower served with green wonton chips, and Mökbar, serving popular Korean dishes like bibimbap and tteokbokki.

Inside, the food hall has a large bar area and two- and four-seat tables for a maximum of 83 seats, with an additional 24 seats in an outdoor patio area. Customers at the dine-in stalls are given pagers that alert them when their order is ready.

Breakfast options are served daily from 7 to 11 a.m. and lunch options from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Le Fantome also has six ghost kitchens slated to open this week. Tables will feature QR codes and other signs that help dine-in customers use online apps to order from them as well.

The ghost kitchens include Mexican restaurant Alta Calidad Taqueria; Nigerian restaurant Dayo’s Kitchen; seafood eatery Fishscale; Laoban Dumplings, which serves modern Chinese food; Indian sweet shop Bombay Kitchen; and Mr. Bake Sweets.

Another ghost kitchen is reserved as a rotating space for up-and-coming restaurateurs.

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The developers of the Purple Line have signed a labor agreement, resolving one of the last potential problems for the much-delayed light-rail transit line.

Earlier this month, Maryland Transit Solutions came to an agreement with the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

Construction workers had protested at a public meeting in April because the new contractors did not have a collective bargaining agreement like the one the project had previously.

Under that kind of agreement, the builders agree to certain wages and benefits, and, in exchange, the labor union agrees not to hold a strike or other work stoppages.

Under the new agreement, Purple Line workers who lost their jobs when construction stopped will have the opportunity to return. Contractors and the union will prioritize local hiring and training, and the unions will provide enough workers to meet staffing needs, which will help keep construction on track.

The new contractors face a tight timeline. A project manager said earlier this year that they will have to pay more than $200,000 for every day construction goes on past the deadline.

Work on the light rail line resumed this month and is slated to end in October of 2026.

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An art show and party at Creative Saints Loft will celebrate the life of American singer, actress, dancer and model Aaliyah.

Called “The Velvet Rope Experience,” the pop-up visual arts showcase that infuses dope artistry, music, and red velvet-flavored eats, while paying homage to well-known music artists, bands or groups.

The fourth installment of the showcase will celebrate Aaliyah Dana Haughton, a contemporary R&B artist who died tragically in 2001.

The event includes a visual showcase from local artists, live art and body painting, a live make-up tutorial, live performances and Aaliyah-inspired music by DJ Travel, photo booths, a mini runway show, specialty cocktails and a dance-off, among other things.

There will be a special appearance by Aliya Duran of Mindbolic Studios along with a special mindful experience by the one and only SOUL COLE and an Aaliyah-tribute performance by Ricky Bailey.

An RSVP includes two complimentary signature cocktails, and there will be cash prizes awarded for best Aaliyah-inspired outfits.

For more info and/or to become a vendor or sponsor for the showcase, visit artbaeonline.com/vreaaliyah or e-mail Cary Michael at info@artbaeonline.com. Proceeds will help support the artists involved.

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Pure Sweet Indulgence Bakery and Cafe has opened in College Park.

Located at 9658 Baltimore Ave., Suite 106, not far from the intersection with Cherry Hill Road, the bakery and cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and handcrafted desserts.

Owner Janice Queen told the Hyattsville Wire that her primary customers are office workers, consumers, school teachers and construction workers commuting past the bakery. But she also offers cakes and dessert tables for all occasions.

A self-taught baker, Queen studied at a Baltimore community college and was certified through the National Restaurant Association. She previously worked at MGM National Harbor as a pastry cook under Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Bortolini.

A native of Washington, D.C., she currently lives in Upper Marlboro but said she chose the location because of “the people” and the potential for growth along the Route 1 corridor. She is looking for ways to work with other Route 1 businesses.

Pure Sweet Indulgence is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

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A new bakery and cafe has opened in College Park.

Located at 9658 Baltimore Ave., Suite 106, not far from the intersection with Cherry Hill Road, Pure Sweet Indulgence Bakery and Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and handcrafted desserts.

The bakery is also available to make cakes and dessert tables for all occasions.

Pure Sweet Indulgence is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

You can learn more at its website or follow the bakery on Instagram and Facebook.

To place an order, call (240) 792-5100 or (240)459-8773.

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A popular Hyattsville park on Gallatin Street will close soon for renovations.

Located at 4203 Gallatin St., next to the Mount Hermon Masonic Lodge, Robert J. King Park is heavily used by elementary students from nearby St. Jerome Academy and residents of Hyattsville’s Historic District.

The city recently announced that the park will close on Nov. 1 for a major renovation, including improved stormwater management, a new playground structure and restored pavilions and landscaping.

The city will hold a community planning event to get input on the future of the park from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, as well as online forums that have not yet been announced.

The park is expected to reopen in 2024.

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