Home Sweet Home

March 3, 2021


Updates from Adams Morgan

Click Here to see previous updates in our newsletter archive

For the latest from the DC government, refer to: https://coronavirus.dc.gov

AMPBID Annual Meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District’s Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5pm. The meeting will be held online via Zoom. Postcards were mailed to all commercial property and business owners in January.

IMPORTANT: To attend the annual meeting as a voting member (all commercial property and business owners within the AMPBID boundaries are automatically members) you must send us your email address via this form . Links to participate in the Zoom meeting and further details (including voting procedures) were sent via USPS last week and reminders have been sent sent via email and further reminders will be forthcoming (if we have your correct email address). If you have not received your voting information please contact Brian Barrie . More information on participating in the meeting and voting -- including candidate info -- is available on our website here .

In addition to other business, we will hold elections for seven positions on the Board of Directors (5 property owners and 2 business owners whose terms expire in March) at the meeting.

If you have not yet, please fill out this form as soon as possible so we can send you information about the meeting and voting. If you have questions, please call Brian at 202.536.9515 or email at bbarrie@admodc.org .


The Return of Adams Morgan Date Nights!

After having to cut the event short last year due to the pandemic, Adams Morgan Date Nights has returned with a familiar, but somewhat different format. We'll still be giving away fabulous date packages and offering great suggestions for staying close to your special someone while staying socially distant from others, but there will be takeout and even virtual options as well.

In light of the difficulties our members have had to endure over the last year we didn't ask our businesses for prize donations -- instead, the prizes will be gift cards (purchased by us) to the Adams Morgan business chosen by the prize winner.

We have already picked two prize winners, but there are two more great packages yet to be awarded. Sign up now at AdMoDateNights.com - the third prize drawing is next Friday, March 12!



E-Commerce for Small Business Thursday, March 4

Topics will include:

  • Set up your online store on Amazon
  • Showcase and market your products to millions of Amazon customers that want to support Black-owned businesses
  • Learn about upcoming procurement activities with Amazon and with federal agencies looking to source from Black-owned businesses

Speakers will include Kristi C. Whitfield, Director, Department of Small and Local Business Development; Lois Rouder, Senior Business Development Manager, Amazon Business Bridging Communities; and Fonta Gilliam, CEO, DC Capital Connector.

Click here for more information and to register.


DSLBD Webinars are Available On YouTube!

We know that running a business is harder than ever and that you don't always have time to join DSLBD for webinars and trainings when they happen.

That's why they record and post so many of our events on their DLSBD Youtube channel .


Watch, learn, and enjoy at your leisure and if you have questions afterwards, just reach out . The DLSBD team is here to support you as you grow your District-based business!


Donate a Wall to Help Beautify Adams Morgan

MuralsDC was created in 2007 to replace illegal graffiti with artistic works, revitalize sites within communities in the District of Columbia, and to teach young, aspiring artists the art of aerosol painting. This initiative aims to positively engage District youth by teaching proper professional art techniques, providing supplies, and a legal means to practice and perform their artistic skill in a way that promotes respect for public and private property and community awareness.

MuralsDC is currently looking for walls and artists.

Click here for more information.


Sign up to join the PPP Webinar Series

The U.S. Small Business Administration has some key changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which will be available for a limited amount of time to ensure America’s smallest businesses get exclusive access. If you are a small business owner with fewer than 20 employees, or are self-employed; there is new information for you. Please join us for a series of webinars hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Public Private Strategies Institute, & other stakeholders to hear about:


What steps you can take now to take advantage of this special opportunity, which closes at 5:00 P.M. EST, Tuesday, March 9th, 2021

Additional changes and recent policy announcements made by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Have your questions answered by SBA Leadership:


In Honor of Women's History Month:

Women in Business -- Relationship-Based Networking for Success

Thursday, March 18, 2021; 5:00pm to 6:00pm (EDT)

Join Roderick "Rod" Johnson, Lender Relations Specialist with the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), as he introduces the following webinar hosted by the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. During the session, Rod will also provide an update on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).


Click here for additional information and to register. While there is no fee to attend this webinar, advanced registration is required. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Grisel Saez or Veronica Cordova at 202-728-0352 or email foundation@gwhcc.org.


Art in Bloom Sculptures

National Cherry Blossom Festival: March 20 - April 11

The Cherry Blossom Festival is going to be mostly virtual this year, but there are opportunities for your business to participate and take advantage of the festival's marketing efforts and visitors to the city. The Adams Morgan Partnership will once again be decorating the neighborhood with Cherry Blossom decals in the next couple weeks.

Art in Bloom

Beginning March 20, go on the hunt for 25 giant cherry blossom sculptures flourishing throughout the DC area. Featuring the artwork of local and national artists, engage with the icons for a chance to win prizes. We have arranged with the Festival to have one of the giant cherry blossoms (photo on the left) placed in Adams Morgan at BB&T Plaza.

Community events this year include:

Blossom Kite Fly

Take to the skies and join us for the long-standing tradition of kite flying in springtime during the 2021 Blossom Kite Fly!

Petal Porch Parade

The Petal Porch Parade will take place from March 20 until April 11. On the weekend of April 10-11, a Petal Procession will drive through select Petal Porch Parade neighborhoods in and around DC. Register by March 15, and get your neighbors involved too for the chance to have the Petal Procession cruise through your neighborhood!


CAH in the Community:

Creating Connections in Arts Education

Thursday, March 18, 2021; 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm ET via Zoom

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) and the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative present "Creating Connections in Arts Education" on March 18, 2021 at 6 pm. Join this speed networking event to connect with area teaching artists, arts educators, and organizations to spark new ideas, opportunities and partnerships. Register today to meet professionals in the DC area, share upcoming projects, and current needs!


The DC Collaborative is proud to co-host "Creating Connections in Arts Education" which is offered through CAH in the Community, an initiative of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities that engages new and prospective grantees through webinars, panels, and workshops.


For questions, contact CAH Arts Learning Coordinator, Alorie Clark at alorie.clark@dc.gov or (202) 671-2304.


This online event is free and open to the public.

Pre-registration is required. Registration closes on Friday, March 12, 2021. Click here to register .


Scooter Rides for Essential Workers in Adams Morgan

Download the Bird app and enter Promo code DCEW

Update from RAMW

From Kathy Hollinger, President, RAMW


More Relief Coming: On Friday night, the House passed the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (the next round of COVID relief). The legislation includes $25 billion toward a grant program for independent restaurants and bars called the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (until now we have been referring to this as the Unified Restaurants Act). The program would award grants to restaurants and bars with demonstrated losses for eligible operating expenses including: payroll, employee benefits, mortgage, rent, utilities, building maintenance and construction of outdoor facilities, personal protective equipment, sanitizing materials, food, and debt obligations to suppliers. (See breakdown here .) Next up the Senate needs to pass their recovery bill, which will happen before March 14th and will include an equivalent to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Click here to watch a new 90-second breakdown from Sean Kennedy, Executive VP of Public Affairs of the National Restaurant Association on what’s happened over the past few days.


This Thursday, March 4 at 1pm, the National Restaurant Association is hosting a webinar on various relief efforts and we highly recommend that you attend. It will cover the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, PPP and ERTC with opportunities for Q&A from you. Click here to register .


On Wage and Tipped Minimum Wage: Also included in the House bill, was the Raise the Wage Act. We always knew it would be included in the House’s version, and we know it is incredibly unlikely that it will be in the Senate version, especially now that the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that procedurally it couldn’t be included in a reconciliation bill. Again, while it passed the House, it will not go anywhere in the Senate.

In DC, the Council held a Legislative Session today and passed the Coronavirus Support Emergency Amendment Act of 2021. This legislation grants the Mayor authority to extend the Public Health Emergency until May 20th. Today, Mayor Bowser did in fact extend the Public Health Emergency to May 20.


Also in the legislation was a new provision that places a 5% commission cap on take out orders (pick up, non delivery orders) when made through a third party delivery platform. This is in addition to the 15% commission cap on all delivery orders made through a third party delivery platform. At this time, both of these provisions are only in place during the Public Health Emergency. The 5% cap on take out orders was initially introduced by Councilmember Cheh, who we worked with. As we previously mentioned, we are also working with Councilmember McDuffie’s office on more permanent legislation regarding third party delivery platforms.


Additionally, two bills we have previously mentioned passed their final reading in today’s session. The first is the “Fair Meals Delivery Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2021.” The bill requires a formal agreement to be in place between delivery services and local restaurants before the restaurant can be included on the third party app. This addresses many concerns we have heard from the restaurant community regarding unknowingly being listed on third party delivery apps. We worked closely with Councilmember McDuffie’s office to refine the legislation and to ensure that it is inclusive of our restaurant community. This will not go into effect until signed by the Mayor, and then will remain in effect for 225 days.


The second bill was the "Workplace Safety During the COVID19 Pandemic Temporary Amendment Act of 2021” which also passed its second reading. This passed as emergency legislation and thus is effective upon it being signed by the Mayor. RAMW was very concerned about the passage of this legislation and the burdens it places on operators as they attempt to survive the pandemic. However, through many conversations with Councilmember Silverman and other members of the Council, RAMW was able to have some changes made in the final version passed to make the legislation more palatable for our industry. Click here for a full recap of what is in the legislation that DC operators need to know.


A reminder for restaurant Bridge Fund Grant recipients , Friday, March 5th is the deadline for grant reporting, so we urge you to be prompt and timely with your reports.


In Training Resources, here are some upcoming courses that may be of interest to you and your teams.


COVID-19 & Managing the Mental Health toll in the Service Industry, Thurs. 3/11, 2:00pm

Please join us for a special virtual town hall webinar brought to you by our Industry Partner and leading healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente in collaboration with RAMW. This webinar is open and intended for both operators and employees. Click here to register . In this webinar, Asha Patton, MD, Assistant Psychiatry Service Chief, speaks about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of your employees. You’ll learn about:

  • Learn what you and your employees can do to navigate these difficult times and maintain a supportive work environment.
  • The nature of stress and the body’s response
  • The signs of stress
  • Practical steps to manage stress

Food Safety Training 3/9. To meet your needs during this unique time, we have developed an online review class for those who are seeking to refresh their knowledge before taking the ServSafe Food Safety Manager exam to recertify their license. Our review session walks you through the key concepts covered in the Food Safety Manager exam and we provide you with a quick reference study guide to help you prepare for the exam. The next training is Tuesday, March 9th from 9:00am-11:00am. $30 per registrant. Click here to register .


CSA/Licking Creek Bend Farm Membership Now Open

**The CSA season is divided into 4 sessions:

  1. June-July (Tuesday and Saturday)
  2. August-September (Tuesday and Saturday)
  3. October (Tuesday and Saturday)
  4. November (Saturday only)

**Early Bird: (April 30 deadline)

  • $315.00 (9 week session); $280 (8 week session)

After April 30:

  • $337.50 (9 week session); $300 (8 week session)

**NEW THIS SEASON – because we have a new additional high tunnel and can start planting earlier, we are offering up to 30 memberships for May, starting May 8. Early crops we are planning include: lettuce, spinach, kale, scallions, early squash, other early greens and maybe some surprises! This is an experiment because the weather is so unpredictable from March to May in our valley, to be safe, we are limiting the number of members we can meet. Should the weather really cooperate and our crops do well, we can add folks, so if you aren’t part of the first 30 members, we can have a waiting list.


May will have 4 pick up weeks (Saturday or Sunday) for $25/week or $100 if you also sign up for Session 2 (June/July). If you only do May, the cost will be $30/week or $120.

For more info and membership forms, email Esther Siegel .



Property Protection:

 Insurance Insights for Business Owners

DISB Celebrates National Consumer Protection Week (February 28 - March 6)

The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) knows that informed District business owners help create thriving businesses and communities. Successful businesses know what is needed to protect and preserve property when damage may occur as a result of weather, an accident, civil unrest or similar events. DISB wants to make sure that all businesses (start-ups, small and medium-sized) know about insurance coverage that protects or preserves property before a loss occurs. Every business owner should understand these three aspects of their insurance policy:

  • What are policyholders asked to do during or after a loss?
  • What types of losses are covered?
  • What policy provisions provide protection for business property?

Click here to read more


March: Free One on One Business Sessions and Webinars

Submit your events and specials!

List your Adams Morgan events and business specials on our webpage for free! Click here to go to the event submission form, fill it out completely, and click on "submit event." Event submissions are reviewed to ensure the events either take place within the Adams Morgan business district or are being put on by an Adams Morgan business, and once approved should appear on the website within 48 hours.

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.

Tag us on social media!

© Adams Morgan Partnership