News, events & happenings in Adams Morgan

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) updates

For the latest updates from the DC government, visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/

DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson will be introducing emergency legislation on Tuesday to aid individuals and businesses during the Coronavirus emergency.

DC Health recommends that non-essential mass gatherings, including conferences and conventions, be postponed or cancelled. Mass gatherings are defined as events where 1,000 or more people congregate in a specific location.We also recommend that any social, cultural, or entertainment events where large crowds are anticipated be reconsidered by the organizer. This recommendation is in effect through March 31.

Adams Morgan Businesses: If your commercial trash hauler stops picking up your trash due to illness, etc., please let us know ASAP. Contact Brian Barrie via email or at 202-536-9515. We are working with DPW to ensure continuity of services so that trash collection continues.

Restaurants : What You Should Be Doing Right Now

*First, please fill out this survey from RAMW to help them assess the current situation.*

These are updated action items, several of which are as equally important for public health, as they are for ensuring customer trust in your establishment.

Brief staff on appropriate protocol. This 2-Minute video on Coronavirus covers important tips, guidance and information, and can be shared with staff during pre-shift.
Ensure that staff disinfect and wipe down each table between turns with a new, clean cloth. Regularly sanitize frequently touched surfaces (tables, counters, handles, chairs etc).
Provide hand sanitizer for guests at the host stand.
Wash hands regularly for a minimum of 20-seconds.
Exclude sick staff from work during their illness.
Make sure management and staff both have a good understanding of your leave policies.
Share your enhanced sanitation protocol with your guests on your website, social media and in the restaurant.

Date Nights in Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan Date Nights continues through the end of March

Click here to enter for discounts around the neighborhood and the chance to win one of five amazing date packages!

Three date packages have been awarded so far. Another will be awarded this week and then one last package towards the end of March. There's still plenty of time to enter, and make sure your significant other(s) enter as well.

Adams Morgan Partnership Annual Report Video

In lieu of producing a printed annual report, the Adams Morgan Partnership created a video annual report for the 2019 Fiscal Year. The video was shown at our annual meeting on Tuesday and can be viewed here .

The video features commentary by Board President Constantine Stavropoulos and Executive Director Kristen Barden along with footage of the neighborhood and our events in 2019.

BID Tax Bills have been mailed

BID tax bills for commercial properties were mailed two weeks ago.

Payments are due by March 31. If you haven't received your tax bill yet, contact Kristen Barden (202-997-0783) to obtain a digital copy.

Soteria Community School starting March 24

Soteria Community School (at The Festival Center) offers political and spiritually oriented classes. March 24-April 28, every Tuesday evening 7-9 pm. Click here to register

After you register, they will be in touch with you about the specific class you want to take. Donations requested -- no set cost.

Three classes:

An Introduction to Interlocking Justice led by AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez
Building the Beloved Community: Organizing for Social Change led by Kristin Kumpf
Making the Road by Walking: A Journey towards (Dis)Connection led by Daniel Dixon & Matthias Everhope

Classes are held at The Festival Center

1640 Columbia Road, NW

202-328-0072

Canceled: March 28 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

From Mayor Muriel Bowser:

"The District is pulling permits for two events in March – the Rock and Roll DC Marathon and Half Marathon and 5K and the Scope It Out 5K."

As yet there is no word if or when the race will be rescheduled.

It's Census time!

Starting March 12th, the US Census will be sending out invitations to participate in the 2020 Census! Filling out the census helps secure federal funding that DC will receive for education, housing, workforce development, transportation, emergency services, healthcare and community planning. This year there are three ways you can complete the census - online, over the phone, or once you receive it in the mail. Follow #GetCountedDC, visit 2020census.gov or call 1-844-330-2020 (English) or 1-844-468-2020 (Spanish) for more information.

Stevens Early Learning Center opening in August

Stevens Early Learning Center (ELC) will be DC Public School's (DCPS) first citywide, standalone ELC opening August 2020 at 1050 21st Street NW.

The Stevens ELC will offer both a DCPS early childhood (PK3-PK4) program and an infant and toddler program operated by Bright

Beginnings, a community-based organization. Co-located in the same building, DCPS is excited to offer a unique opportunity for families to be a part of a school serving students from infancy to PK4. The goal of the Stevens ELC is to increase overall PK3 and PK4 capacity in a growing area, build DCPS’ capacity to serve young learners with special needs, and to provide an opportunity to cultivate a socioeconomic- and ability-diverse school community.

Click here for more information including application deadlines .

Canceled: DC Chamber Small Business & Economic Development Summit

DC Chamber of Commerce Small Business and Economic Development Summit scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2020 is cancelled due to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center canceling all events to be located there from March 13 through March 31, 2020.

DC Chamber will reschedule the Summit based on information received from Events DC and the government of the District of Columbia. Stay tuned.

Update from ABRA

As of March 12, 2020, ABRA is maintaining regular office operations Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

That said, out of abundance of caution, they are encouraging customers to mail in any and all payments and/or applications and get answers to questions by email, phone, and online.

Additionally, all of ABRA's in-person trainings are postponed until further notice.

Offer your customers parking validation at Colonial Garage

Adams Morgan businesses can validate parking for free so customers will only pay $8 for up to 4 hours parking (until 5pm) at the Colonial Garage at 2421 18th St., NW. All Adams Morgan businesses are eligible to participate in the validation program, but they must go to the Colonial Parking to ask for the two-hour and four-hour validation cards. Businesses that would like to participate can find more information on the program here .

Mobile updates from goDCgo

WMATA has added real-time rail information to Apple Maps ! Apple users riding the Metro will see detailed train schedules, live departure and arrival times, and current train and bus locations sourced from WMATA in the palm of their hand. Check it out now so you can improve your Metro trip planning.

In other mobile news, OurStreets has officially launched! This new, locally-developed app allows you to report traffic safety violations including blocked bike lanes, illegal parking, speeding, and aggressive or distracted driving directly to the Department of For-Hire Vehicles. The app may also soon share data with other city agencies, including the Department of Public Works and the Department of Transportation. OurStreets is meant to be a deterrent for dangerous driving behavior as well as an outlet for riders to express their safety frustrations while also contributing toward action in DC's streets. Download the OurStreets app here .

Competition for Robust Retail Grants is Now Open

Application deadline is March 15

The DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is accepting applications for the Robust Retail grants which will award up to $10,000 to 40 retail business owners with stores anywhere within the District of Columbia. Home-based businesses and nonprofit organizations are not eligible for this grant.

This grant is targeted to retail businesses which might be struggling to stay open, trying to grow, and/or trying to adapt their business model to meet market changes. The grant can be used for any type of expense made between April 1 and August 31, 2020, except an expense which has been funded by a Great Streets grant.

This grant has a rolling deadline of January 15 to March 15. Grants will be awarded during the open deadline period so don’t wait until March 15th to apply, because all the funds could be gone by then. You must have a District of Columbia business license, a Dun & Bradstreet number, and an ARIBA supplier number in order to apply.

Click here to register for one of the upcoming information sessions about this grant.

You can access the online application here .

2020 Dream Big Awards Nominations & Applications

Nominations & Applications are now open

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with Chase for Business® to recognize the very best of America's small businesses. Since 2006, the Dream Big Awards program has honored the achievements of small businesses around the country and highlighted their contributions to the nation's economic growth.

The Dream Big Awards celebrate small businesses who are achieving success, creating opportunity, and inspiring others. Winners exemplify leadership across business growth performance, innovative business strategies, community engagement, and customer and employee relations.

Individual awards are presented in eight distinct categories and the overall winner of the Dream Big Small Business of the Year receives a $25,000 cash prize. There is no limit to the number of nominations and no fee to nominate or apply. Winners will be announced at the CO— Summit for Small and Growing Businesses in Washington, D.C. on October 14-15, 2020. See below for important upcoming dates.

March 2, 2020: Dream Big Nominations & Applications Open
June 12, 2020: Nomination Deadline
July 10, 2020: Application Deadline

Interested in receiving future updates for the Dream Big Awards? Please visit www.uschamber.com/dream-big-awards to sign up for our newsletter.

DC Small Business Workshops

Grow your small business! The calendar DC Small Business Help Workshops compiles resources and workshops from a variety of organizations, covering leasing, business plans, entrepreneurship and more.

View the calendar .

Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) Free Workshops

With the District expanding, residents have access to an innovative city full of opportunities for both new and established business enterprises. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or current small business owner, SBRC is an essential resource for your success!

Click here for the workshop calendar and to register.

POST YOUR EVENT ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FREE

If your business has an upcoming event happening in Adams Morgan, you can submit it to our website here . Submissions are moderated to ensure they are relevant to the Adams Morgan community.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Sponsor one of our community events! Partner with our community while reaching some of the city's most desirable demographics. For details, contact Kristen Barden at 202-997-0783.