Week in Review: Cafritz Rezoning Approved, Pepco Buys "WaterShed," and More

Big news today for many: It's Super Bowl Sunday. Where is the best place in College Park and the surroudning area to watch the game? .

Remember the University of Maryland's entry in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon? The students won first place with their solar-powered home, "WaterShed." Pepco bought the entry for $200,000 to use it as a living classroom.

Mom Columnist Gretchen Schock shared her struggles as a divorced parent who decided to stay at home with her kids. Do you share the struggle? Do you have advice to share? Let us know in the comments section here.

Cafritz

on Thursday to approve the rezoning application for the Cafritz project. Developers hope to build a mixed-use property just south of College Park, which would include a Whole Foods Market and residential units. Riverdale Park-University Park Patch editor was kind enough to sit through the very, very long hearing, .

Grocery Store?

: If the city got another grocery store, what would you want it to be? By the time the poll closed Friday night, 39 percent of polltakers said they'd support a Trader Joe's coming to the city; 25 percent said Harris Teeter; and 11 percent said Wegmans. Seventy-five percent of polltakers also said College Park needs another grocery store, to add to the existing and Shoppers.

Schools

celebrated the opening of a new language lab, where students will get onto the fast track learning Chinese. Also in school news, Prince George's County School Superintendent William Hite asked legislators to create year-round calendars for certain schools, The Washington Post reported.

The Council Chambers of are currently decked out with artwork by College Park's own youngsters, who made posters celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. .

The Courts

The plea hearing for Deandre Ricardo Williams has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 10. Williams is charged in the murder of University of Maryland student Justin DeSha-Overcash.

Former Prince George's County Executive . He was sentenced in December to seven years and three months in a North Carolina federal prison for corruption charges.

Town/Gown

Students and some residents about the safety of Yale Avenue, the University of Maryland's Crime Alert System, the status of workplace abuse allegations, and other concerns.

told area municipal officials that he expected to soon learn when ground would be broken for the first phase of East Campus. at the meeting and in The Post.

Fees

Gov. Martin O'Malley saying the decision would be unpopular but much needed. And some lawmakers are pushing for a new fee of disposable bag use.