March 6, 2024
Updates from Adams Morgan
Click Here
to see previous updates in our newsletter archive
Check
ObviouslyDC.com
for the latest in DC government funding and grant opportunities for businesses.
Be prepared. Visit to
Ready.DC.gov
for preparedness information for a
variety of hazards including manmade and natural disasters.
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2024 Annual Meeting and Board Elections
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Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District’s (AMPBID) Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12th, from 8:30am to 11:00am
at
Venture X
, 1763 Columbia Rd NW. A breakfast buffet will be available from 8:30am and presentations will begin at 9:30 am.
Click here to RSVP
. The meeting will be
streamed online
. More details about the meeting and elections can be found on our
website
.
Board Elections:
AMPBID holds elections every year at our annual meeting in March. The board consists of 15 seats, nine of which are reserved for commercial property owners and six for business owners. Board members are elected to serve three-year terms (unless they are replacing a board member who resigned before the end of their term). This year's election will be for 6 positions on the Board of Directors (3 property owners and 3 business owners).
The nominations committee has concluded their work and no further board nominations will be accepted for this election.
Postcards with information about the AMPBID Annual Meeting were mailed to all AMPBID members last month.
Ballots for the election were mailed earlier this month. If you haven't received your ballot yet, please contact
Brian Barrie
.
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Columbia Road Bus Priority Project:
Comments Due by March 15
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Information on the project can be found on DDOT's
Columbia Road Bus Priority Project page
. DDOT will be accepting public comments on this project through March 15.
This plan will drastically change Columbia Rd., NW by eliminating most of the parking and isolating some businesses far away from loading zones. Additionally, the two blocks between 16th St. and 17th St. will have a center bus-only lane and no curbside parking or stopping of any kind.
To leave feedback about the project, visit
their website
, go to the Bus Priority Project Survey, select “Specific Project Feedback” and then select “Columbia Road NW from 16th St to California Ave” from the list.
If you are opposed to any part of this plan it is very important that you submit comments.
If you would like to include your business's comments along with those of the Adams Morgan Partnership, please send them to
Brian Barrie
by Wednesday, March 13
.
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AdMo Art Walk returns in April
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DC Arts Center
, in partnership with AMPBID, is proud to present the 2024 AdMo Art Walk — a free, new way to experience art! Every year, local businesses in Adams Morgan are partnered with local artists in DC, who are invited to display their work all month long in the business’ storefront. The result is a neighborhood-wide public art exhibition where Adams Morgan becomes your own personal art gallery!
This year's
AdMo Art Walk
will run from April 8 through April 30.
This year we have more artists and businesses participating than ever before and you’re invited to walk the streets of Adams Morgan and admire an impressive selection of artwork displayed in various storefronts in a self-guided walking tour.
Join us
for the biggest AdMo Art Walk ever!
Attention Artists: Applications Are Now Open
Applications Due 11:59 PM on March 11, 2024
APPLY TO EXHIBIT TODAY!
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Save the Date! Spring PorchFest is set for Saturday, May 4
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We'll have more details as we get closer but we've set the date for the spring edition of DC's favorite neighborhood music festival -- Adams Morgan PorchFest! It'll happen on Saturday, May 4, and we're working to make it the best one yet!
Want to participate?
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Performers
: The
band signup form is live here
for new and returning bands.
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Hosts
: Past hosts will be contacted beginning this week to sign up to host again. If you're interested in hosting, please email
Brian Barrie
with your street address and any relevant details. We're continuing to grow the event but we want to ensure that new hosts are far enough away from existing hosts to avoid music crossover but not so far away that it will draw attendees away from the rest of the event.
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Volunteers
: It takes a lot of people to make Adams Morgan PorchFest a success and we couldn't do it without our volunteers. If you're interested in helping out (at PorchFest or our other events) please fill out
this form
.
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Women in ADMO: Business Spotlight
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In celebration of Women's History Month, Venture X is hosting a "Women in ADMO Business Spotlight" event on
March 11 from 12-1pm at Venture X (1763 Columbia Road NW)
. Community members are welcome to attend (free), network, mingle, and listen to brief presentations from other women in the community!
RSVP here
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Venture X Washington DC-Adams Morgan
is offering Workday Wednesday's EVERY Wednesday for the month of March. Venture X will be hosting "Business and Bagels" in the morning- an opportunity to gather and network with us and other members. Work with a team? Bring your colleagues with you and we will set your team up in a private office for a free trial.
Please RSVP
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The Metropolitan Police Department is warning the public of a jury duty phone scam.
Phone scammers impersonate members of MPD and attempt to extort people by claiming an arrest warrant has been issued against them for not appearing at a jury duty summons. The scammer then asks for money to remove the warrant.
The Metropolitan Police Department will never solicit anyone for monetary funds, bank information, or social security numbers.
If you happen to receive unsolicited phone calls similar in nature:
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Don’t feel pressured to act
. Scammers may have some public information about you (like your name and address), but that does not mean they are legitimate. Verify by contacting the appropriate agency directly using customer service info on their public websites.
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MPD will never demand payment by phone
. Do not share your credit card number, personal information, or other financial information. Do not wire transfer money or transfer funds to anyone you do not know.
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Share what you know with others
. By telling your friends and family members about the scam, you can help protect your community.
If you have questions about your jury summons, contact the D.C. Court Juror Office at (202) 879-4604 or by email at jurorhelp@dcsc.gov.
Please visit the DC Courts Active Warrant List to inquire if you have an active D.C. Court arrest warrant, or contact the D.C. Courts directly at (202) 879-1010.
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Alert: Ann Hughes Hargrove Park is closed for renovation
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The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) would like to inform the community that Ann Hughes Hargrove Triangle Park (located at 19th Street NW/Kalorama Road NW/Columbia Road NW) is temporarily closed for renovation. DPR will update the community once the renovation is complete.
Residents are welcome to contact DPR's Customer Care Center by phone at (202) 673-7647 or by email at
dprcustomercare@dc.gov
should you have any additional questions.
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The 2024 CSA/Licking Creek Bend Farm Membership Is Now Open
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All pesticide-free vegetables and pesticide-free and IPM fruit are picked the day before CSA pick ups
A Few Things First
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If you don't feel you can meet the prices, contact us and we'll work with you to ensure you can participate in our CSA
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Please share this with your neighbors and friends
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We welcome volunteers at our markets
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Mark your calendars for our Annual Farm Visit Day, Sunday, June 2. featuring the UKULECTIC UKULELE ORCHESTRA!
The CSA season is divided into 4 sessions for one a week pickups:
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June-July (Thursday or Saturday)
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August-September (Thursday or Saturday)
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October (Thursday or Saturday)
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November (Saturday only)
Membership fee:
We have not changed our prices from last season.
$360.00 (9 week session); $320 (8 week session)
Pick up places and times are on the
Membership Form
and below.
Why a CSA?
The intent of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is to partner with the farmer by providing a cash flow to enable the farmer to purchase seeds, hire staff, prepare equipment, plant, nurture and harvest. All of this happens months before the farmer can begin to get income from the sale of produce. The pre-purchase of membership gives the farmer a good sense of how much of the yield is needed for the CSA, which is critical to a smooth operation.
CSA produce is harvested the day before pick up. That means you are assured the produce you get from us is as fresh as can be other than if you went into the fields before starting to cook! And that is another thing to understand about a CSA. Think of it as if you went into the field to find out what’s for dinner! A CSA does not provide all your weekly food needs. What it does is provide you with freshly harvested produce you can’t expect from a grocery store. A CSA is seasonal and ebbs and flows with Mother Nature.
A CSA is a Partnership
As a "partner", we experience together the ebbs and flows of the season. Some weeks yield more than others, the weather plays a significant role in the yield, and as the season progresses, produce grows at its own pace. This is why some weeks there will be smaller yields and other weeks abundance. We've found that the weeks balance out in relation to the cost. By the end of the season, it had balanced itself out, so please be patient and we'll do our best to keep you informed of the ebbs and flows. If you are new to our CSA, please read some of the comments from our members below.
How Climate Change has Affected Our Farm
Ironically, climate change has made it possible for us to start planting earlier! So we've started planting in late January in our green house and high tunnels. Seeds are already sprouting! HOWEVER, climate change is also confusing seeds and their natural growing rhythm. Climate change also brings more unpredictable weather and blight. It has become more challenging to grow without chemical intervention. So, we are proud of our staff for working extra hard to provide you with sustainable and fresh produce.
How to Sign Up --
2024 CSA Membership Form
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If you plan to pay by check, please send your Membership Form and check to the address on the form. Make out the check to: LICKING CREEK BEND FARM.
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If you plan to pay electronically (VENMO), email back your Membership Form using a simple Word document. Anything else will be a problem for us to open. The form is in Word, so fill it in, save it in the Word doc it already is in and email it back – and indicate which payment method on the form.
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Registration is open for Bike To Work Day
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Bike to Work Day is set for Friday, May 17
and our Adams Morgan Pit Stop will be set up in Unity Park from 7:30am - 9:30am.
Register now
and we'll have a free t-shirt along with refreshments and other goodies for to enjoy.
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon returning Saturday March 16
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This is a reminder that the Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC Half Marathon and 5k is on March 16, 2024.
The race route has not changed since last year and will come into Adams Morgan via Calvert Street and the Ellington Bridge, turn east onto Columbia Rd., continuing to Harvard St. where it will turn right and continue into Columbia Heights.
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From Shawn Townsend, President & CEO
Dram Shop Reform Wins at DC Council
Yesterday, the DC Council gave final approval to the Restaurant Revitalization and Dram Shop Clarification Act.
This is such a monumental occasion. We have worked for years to pass common sense Dram Shop legislation, which will collectively save local restaurants millions of dollars in insurance fees.
An important amendment to better protect operators from frivolous lawsuits also passed, clarifying that service charges of less than 20 percent are permitted when diners are notified before ordering and how it’s used. A separate amendment to speed up the end of the tipped wage was defeated; nonetheless, today marks a legislative landmark that we should all take pride in.
There are many to thank for this accomplishment, including our partners at the DC Nightlife Council; Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Christina Henderson, who introduced the dram shop reform bill; Councilmember Charles Allen, whose additional proposals were incorporated into the final legislation; and of course Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, who shepherded yesterday's outcome.
Most of all, thanks go to each of you, our RAMW members, who made their voices heard testifying at public hearings, meeting with policy makers, and calling, e-mailing, and texting their Councilmembers.
There is much more work to do, but the passage of the act promises brighter days are ahead for our local neighborhood restaurants, operators, workers, and diners alike.
Thank you once again for your advocacy and commitment to our industry and RAMW. Together, our collective action is leaving a lasting impact for years to come.
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Pitch Your Business at the GWHCC Business Expo on Thursday, March 28th
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Apply today and you may be one of the 8 selected businesses that will Pitch Your Biz in front of a LIVE crowd!
A panel of judges chosen from the local entrepreneurial community will judge the competition. Your peers, local community and business leaders will be in attendance.
Top three winners will earn cash prices valued at $500, $400, and $300.
All Small Business are eligible.
All applicants must be available to present their business pitch in person during the event.
To apply for the competition, applicants must complete
this form
by 11:59 pm (ET), on Thursday, March 7th, 2024.
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This dynamic Open House event invites you to explore the heart of Wacif's mission — empowering the DMV’s entrepreneurs to thrive and succeed... Plus, seize the opportunity to meet with their lending team and pre-qualify for loans on the spot!
Don’t miss the chance to amplify your business’s impact.
RSVP now
and fill out our pre-qualification application to guarantee your meeting with a lending agent and take a leap toward unlocking the full potential of your business!
Friday, March 29; 1pm
Anacostia Arts Center
1231 Marion Barry Avenue, SE
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FY24 Business Funding Opportunities
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New and ongoing funding opportunities from the DC Government:
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Commercial Property Acquisition Fund
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Opening February 2024
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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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Open for Applications
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Downtown Recovery Grant
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Open for Applications
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Great Streets Retail Small Business Grant
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Open for Applications
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Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact Fund
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Open for Applications
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Locally Made Manufacturing Grant
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Open for Applications
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Neighborhood Prosperity Fund
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Open for Applications
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Special Event Relief Fund
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Open for Applications
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Vitality Fund
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Open for Applications
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Walter Reed Retail Opportunity Grant
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Opening February 2024
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All Things Green Grant (DSLBD)
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Open for Applications
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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Upcoming DC Chamber Events
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SAVE THE DATE! Small Business Summit
The DC Chamber of Commerce 2024 Small Business Summit will convene leaders from across local & federal governments and the small business industry for a deep dive into the state of the District of Columbia’s small business industry and the future vision, policy, and programs for all businesses. Join us and be a part of shaping the future of small businesses in DC and beyond! Registrations are now open and sponsorships are available. This is an opportunity you won't want to miss!
WHEN:
April 30, 2024 / 7:30 am to 3:30 pm
WHERE:
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
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💸Shea Moisture Grant
Black-owned businesses who are registered and based in the U.S, in operation for at least two years, with at least $25,000 in annual revenue, are eligible.
More information
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💸Accion Opportunity Fund
The Accion Opportunity Fund grants small business loans ranging from $5,000-$250,000, along with educational resources, coaching, and support networks in both English and Spanish. This program offers mentorship programs, microloans, and a hubzone program for small business owners’ financial needs.
More information
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💸Funding for Latino-Owned Businesses
Are you interested in starting or expanding your business? Our team of business coaches can provide you with one-on-one advice and training to help you manage and grow your business.
Apply online
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💸 Amazon Black Business Accelerator
The Amazon Black Business Accelerator is dedicated to helping build sustainable equity and growth for Black entrepreneurs by enabling their success as sellers.
More information
.
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💸 Wish Local Empowerment Program
Wish is dedicating a $2M dollar fund to give roughly 4,000 Wish Local small business grants for black-owned biz. The selected recipients will receive between $500 - $2000. This program will only be open to Black-owned stores to help promote equality and diversity.
More information
.
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💸 2024 Amber WomensNet's Grant
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here
In 1998, we gave our first Amber Grant in honor of 19-year old Amber Wigdahl, who died before fulfilling her business dreams. Today, we award three $10,000 Amber Grants each month. And three of our 36 monthly winners get an additional $25,000 Year-End Amber Grant.
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Additional Funding Opportunities:
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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.
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BOARD MEETINGS
The Board of Directors of the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District meets on the second Tuesday of every month (except August, October, and December).
Meetings are currently being held online and begin at 5pm.
Our Annual Meeting is held in March. Contact
Brian Barrie
for information about attending board meetings.
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©
Adams Morgan Partnership
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