May 3, 2023
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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May AMPBID Board Meeting has been cancelled
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The AMPBID Executive Committee met yesterday and decided to cancel the May 9th board meeting. The agenda was mostly focused on the introduction of the proposed FY2024 budget and since the Finance Committee has not yet met to work on the budget they need to do that next week.
We will then distribute the draft FY2024 budget to board members by email and ask that they review it and send us questions before the June 13th board meeting.
New Executive Committee elected
The AMPBID Board of Directors elected a new executive committee at a special meeting in April. The executive committee is:
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President:
Jonathan Cho
, Sakuramen & BUL Restaurants
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Vice President:
Jonathan Wells
, Club Timehri
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Secretary:
Stephanie Jacek
, Le Bustiere Boutique
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Treasurer:
Andrew Nimmer
: Property Owner and High Road Hotel
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Drag Storytime this Sunday!
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Join us for
Drag Storytime
in Adams Morgan! The monthly events are free and open to children of all ages (and perfect for the entire family!). The goal of Drag Storytime is to inspire a love of reading, while teaching deeper lessons on diversity, self-love and an appreciation of others. Please join us in Unity Park on the following dates:
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May 7 at 11am:
Katie Magician
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June 25 at 11am:
IttyBitty
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July 30 at 11am:
Venus Valhalla
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August 27 at 11am:
Venus Valhalla
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September 24 at 11am:
Katie Magician
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October 29 at 11am:
Sebastian Katz
This event is held in partnership with
The LINE DC
and
DC Public Library
. The DC Public Library will be in attendance with additional books, information about local libraries, their famous “book bike” and more!
Click here
to register for the event.
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New for 2023: Spring PorchFest!
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We're excited to announce the first-ever
Spring PorchFest
on
Saturday, May 20 from 2-6pm
! Over the last 10 years, we've received overwhelming community support for the October PorchFest, so we decided to add a second PorchFest to the neighborhood events lineup. With over 70+ bands, this Spring edition will showcase some of DC’s best local musical talent featuring nearly every musical genre, including classic rock, funk, go-go, rap, reggae, blue grass, classical, and pop. Seventeen+ porches, patios, and stoops will become stages for the day, drawing music-lovers from around the region into the tree-lined streets and small businesses of Adams Morgan.
Event patrons can pick up a music map and wristband at the event headquarters located in the plaza at the corner of Columbia and Adams Mill Roads NW. Event wristbands are FREE and provide attendees with dozens of discounts at various Adams Morgan businesses. After stopping by the event headquarters, guests can stroll through the neighborhood for nonstop musical performances from 2-6pm, enjoy lunch, dinner, or drinks at a neighborhood hangout, and shop for unique gifts at local boutiques.
Adams Morgan PorchFest is sponsored by our generous community partners including
Gifted Curators
,
Up N' Smoke
, and
Lars Etzkorn Law PLLC
. Adams Morgan PorchFest is produced in partnership with
Pipkin Creative
. For performance locations, neighborhood discounts, and more event details, visit
AdMoPorchFest.com
. Be sure to tag your fun event photos on social media using #AdMoPorchFest and @admobid!
Volunteers Needed!
PorchFest is a huge event and we couldn't do it without volunteers.
Click here
for more information and to pitch in.
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Bring PorchFest Attendees Into Your Business
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We're bringing back the popular
wristband discount program
again this year. It's
free for Adams Morgan businesses to participate
and the wristbands will be distributed for free to thousands of attendees. Participating businesses will be highlighted on the printed and digital map as well as in our social media posts.
Click here
to download the flyer (including sample discounts from last year) or
click here
to send us your special(s). Please
email Brian Barrie
for more information.
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Adams Morgan Movie Nights lineup set, kicks off on May 23
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Voted as one of the best outdoor movie series in DC by readers of the
Washington City Paper
, Adams Morgan Movie Nights is a can’t-miss event! Adams Morgan Movie Nights will kick off on Tuesday, May 23 and continue with weekly screenings on Tuesday nights through June 27. Movies are free and are shown on the soccer field at Marie Reed School. Movies start approximately 30 minutes after sunset, and we'll have treats from
Insomnia Cookies
again this year so be sure to show up early.
What better way to end your day in Adams Morgan than with a good laugh? This year’s lineup is comedy focused and sure to put a smile on your face.
This year’s lineup:
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May 23:
This is Spinal Tap
(Opening Night)
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May 30:
Coming to America
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June 6:
The Birdcage
(Pride Week🌈)
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June 13:
Raising Arizona
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June 20:
Bridesmaids
– People’s Choice Movie
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June 27:
Shrek
(Family Night: we'll have lots of fun activities for the kids -- watch this space for more info as we get closer)
Thanks to
Hotbed
in Adams Morgan, attendees can enjoy comedy both on and off the big screen! Each Movie Night will kick off with a stand-up feature from a local comedian before the movie begins.
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Movie Nights: Brown Bag Movie Meals
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We're looking for businesses who want to participate in our "Brown Bag to Movie Nights" program again this year.
Participating businesses will be promoted along with our movies every week. All your business needs to do is put together a carryout meal of some sort, preferably with utensils (if needed), that will be available on our movie nights (Tuesdays, 5/23 - 6/27) and
fill out this form
to let us know about it. Contact
Brian Barrie
(202-536-9515) for more info.
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Adams Morgan Farmers Market returns this Saturday!
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The 2023 Adams Morgan Farmers Market starts early this year
along with Ravenhook Bakehouse and Remie's Plants and Flowers
Opens Saturday, May 6, 2023
8:30am - 1:00pm - 7:00pm
at Unity Park
Corner of Euclid St and Columbia Rd
Celebrating more than 52 years serving the Adams Morgan community.
FEATURING THIS WEEK pesticide-free:
A Spring mix of Lettuce, Arugula, Kale, Broccoli Rabe, French Radish, Spinach, other crisp spring salad greens, Large Scallions, Mint, Carrots, Beans, Squash, Herbs, Mushrooms, Radishes, maybe early Tomatoes, winter-stored small crisp apples and maybe some early fruits and other early Spring goodies
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Bike to Work Day is on May 19 -- Register Now!
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The
Adams Morgan pit stop will be at Unity Park
again this year. Adams Morgan regularly has one of the highest registration rates in the city and we plan on having refreshments and other goodies available to riders in addition to the free t-shirt. We'll be updating you with more information as the event gets closer.
Click here
to register.
Volunteers Needed!
If you'd like to volunteer to help at the Adams Morgan Bike To Work Day pit stop, please email
Brian Barrie
.
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The (Re)Connect tomorrow at The Line Hotel DC
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Thursday, May 4, 2023; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The LINE DC
, 2468 Champlain Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Have you been searching for an event that allows you to build community AND strategy for your small business? Join us at The LINE DC for The (Re)Connect, powered by the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), on May 4 from 6 to 8 PM!
As we celebrate National Small Business Week, you will have a chance to:
Hear from entrepreneurs from Wacif signature program initiatives
Learn how Wacif can support your small business
Network with representatives from institutions that support small businesses
Click here
to register.
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Gina Schaefer to Keynote DC Chamber of Commerce Small Business Summit on May 9
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The DC Chamber's Small Business Summit on Tuesday May 9th will feature Keynote Speaker Gina Schaefer, CEO and Co-Founder, A Few Cool Hardware Stores. Gina will share her remarkable story of overcoming adversity and discrimination and turning into it success all while supporting and empowering entrepreneurship. Read more about Gina
HERE
.
The Small Business Summit will also include:
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educational workshops for different levels of entrepreneurship
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a Maker's Market featuring local DC retail vendors & makers with a fun raffle for attendees
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a Workforce Development workshop hosted by Ahnna Smith & team from the Workforce Investment Council
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3 educational workshops designed specifically for retail business owners
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a Business Matchmaking/Speed Networking Reception
There will also be an Awards Luncheon honoring local business leaders and change-makers
including Amanda Preske of
Because Science
who has been named the DC Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year!
Congratulations Amanda!
Click here
for more information and to register for the summit.
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Celebrate National Small Business Month with GWHCC!
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May is National Small Business Month! At the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce our goal is to help small businesses and startup owners begin their business and succeed.
Small Business Month, celebrated in May every year, is a special tribute to amplify small businesses, their courage, community efforts and hard work for an entire month!
Did you know that small businesses are the backbone of the United States' economy? Yes, according to a 2020 study by the U.S. Small Business Administration (S.B.A.), there are 31.7 million small businesses in the United States. So, as you can see, these small businesses are the unsung heroes of the American Dream.
In celebration of National Small Business Week, April 30 - May 6, 2023, and throughout the whole month of May GWHCC will be featuring useful tools and resources to help small business owners, employers and self-employed individuals succeed.
Grants and programs for businesses and organizations:
Free business consultations for members and small businesses
Whether you are thinking of starting your own business or already running one, request a mentor to help you with any questions you have.
Click here
for more information
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Virtual Public Meeting: Freight Plan Update
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The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) invites you to a virtual public meeting on
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
, on the Freight Plan Update. The project team will present updates on the plan and address questions from the community at this public meeting.
A freight plan is a federally required document that defines short-and long-term vision and goals along with objectives and performance measures for the District freight system. Since the enactment of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in 2021, states are required to update their freight plans every four (4) years.
The Freight Plan Update will develop recommendations and strategies to support the safe and efficient movement of goods and freight vehicles in the District. The recommendations from the plan will allow DDOT to make strategic investments to the District freight system.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event will be
Virtual on WebEx
Click here
fore more information.
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There are exciting and significant legislative updates from yesterday's DC Council meeting that will help our community of neighborhood restaurants recover, transition, and ultimately thrive again!
First, Councilmember Charles Allen’s emergency delivery services legislation unanimously passed
with two amendments. RAMW supports this legislation, which:
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Prohibits delivery services from excluding restaurants from customer searches within 4 miles of the restaurant.
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Prohibits limiting the number of drivers available to a restaurant solely based on its commission tier.
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Requires delivery services to disclose to restaurants in plain language charges, commissions, and fees.
We also know that some issues were not included in the temporary legislation and are pursuing those in a coming hearing for the permanent law. More on that.
Second, Councilmember McDuffie announced a comprehensive restaurant bill and plans to hold a hearing at 10am on May 26.
What’s In the Bill:
It's filled with proposals to help our restaurant community recover and transition from the pandemic and end of the tip credit, including:
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After July’s increase to $8, deferring all further increases in the hourly tipped wage until July 1, 2025, when it matches minimum wage.
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-- This ends the tip credit two years sooner than scheduled. We have heard from members loud and clear that the multi-step, multi-year approach to ending the tip credit creates confusion and an extended state of flux while operators make ongoing revisions to their operations and diners encounter regularly changing pricing and tipping policies.
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Excluding sales tax from service charges for groups of 10 people or less.
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Defining in law fair practice language for service charges.
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Prohibiting service charges from being calculated as income when determining rent (in cases when it’s unclear).
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Establishing a public education program about ending the tip credit.
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Enacting permanent changes to emergency delivery services legislation that passed DC Council yesterday.
There are additional legislative proposals
that we are continuing to pursue, including proposals in Councilmember Charles Allen’s
Helping Small Businesses Recover and Thrive Act
, which would prohibit credit card fees on the sales tax portion of guests’ checks, increase an existing tax credit for qualified businesses, and allowing anti-sexual harassment training for managers to be conducted online.
How to Testify:
Sign up by 5 pm May 24 by emailing
BusinessEconomicDevelopment@dccouncil.gov
.
Stay tuned for more information, including an Operator Town Hall and top tips for testifying at a legislative hearing.
Liquor Liability Hearing May 26! Operator Town Hall Next Week
A public hearing date was also set for the Dram Shop Clarification Act. The hearing for the bill, which would strengthen liquor liability law and lower insurance costs, is also scheduled May 26.
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What is it? The Dram Shop Clarification Act would strengthen liquor liability law by adding key definitions and terms, limiting liability to injured third parties, and establishing a cap on damages.
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NEXT WEEK: JOIN THE FIGHT! Learn more about this proposed legislation, how it will help to lower insurance costs, and how YOU can show your support at an Operator Town Hall hosted by the DC Nightlife Council and RAMW at 2 pm on May 10. Register now.
Next Anti-Sexual Harassment Training May 31
Register today for our next anti-harassment training for bar and restaurant employees, owners, operators, and managers hosted by RAMW on May 31. The fee is $35 per person. Registration is required and space is limited.
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Recap:
As part of the 2018 Tipped Wage Workers Fairness Amendment Act, operators with tipped employees must complete the training every two years. Trainers must be certified by the DC Office of Human Rights.
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Deadline:
Training must be completed by August 31.
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More Training:
Additional training dates at RAMW are June 13, 20, and 21. Operators who want to schedule training at their restaurants can review OHR’s list of certified trainers here or contact training@ramw.org for referrals.
COVID-19 Emergency Ends May 11
After three years, the US COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ends May 11.
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What That Means
: It doesn’t end remote work for the federal government or private companies, but it does require federal employers to prepare a plan to “substantially” return to in-office work. Expect more people downtown, traffic, and delays.
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💸 Commercial Property Acquisition Fund (DMPED)
The Commercial Property Acquisition Fund will provide eligible businesses with down payment assistance of up to $750,000 or 25% of the sale price, whichever is less, for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. This year, businesses will need to complete three mandatory sessions in order to apply for the Fund. OPEN now on a rolling basis until funds are expended.
Learn more here
.
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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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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). 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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