Summer Concert Series begins June 2!

Mayor Gray marked the early success of Streetscape Loan Relief Fund in Adams Morgan on May 23

Small Business Energy Efficiency Program

Update on the Second Hand Business licensing issue - don't forget to sign the petition!

Destination DC wants to promote your business - for FREE!

TEDx comes to Adams Morgan - June 7th

Summer Concert Series begins June 2!

FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES LAUNCHES IN ADAMS MORGAN ON

SATURDAY JUNE 2 - FROM 5 TO 7 PM

We are pleased to announce the Fourth Annual FREE Summer Concert Series will begin on Saturday, June 2nd from 5 to 7 pm in the public plaza in front of BB&T Bank at the northeast corner of Columbia Road/Adams Mill Road/18th Street, NW in Adams Morgan. We are appreciative of the generous financial support for this year’s concert series from BB&T Bank. Follow the series on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Adams-Morgan-Summer-Concert-Series/108542192525536

The FREE Summer Concert Series will continue through July 7th every Saturday night from 5 to 7 pm. We will have a limited number of chairs for audience members. Please feel free to bring your own beach chair. In the event of rain, the concert will be canceled for that day. Due to the nature of the series, there will not be a rain date.

This is a free, family-friendly event designed to bring the community together to hear some great, eclectic music before going to dinner, going out for the night or putting the kids to bed.

Here is the schedule of bands to perform:

June 2nd

Kid Goat

Kid Goat is a real American Rock and Roll band based in the very unreal American environment of Washington, DC. With beautifully penned songs that bring to mind the likes of Steve Earle and John Hiatt, it would be easy to simply call Kid Goat an Alt-Country band, but the melding of the backgrounds and styles of its members create a sound that can only be described as straightforward rock and roll. Kid Goat's music takes you on a journey through blues, country and rock-n-roll to a place that is pure Americana, complete with brutal honesty, familiar stories and social conscience. Whether it is the tension of edgy rock and roll, the longing and sadness of a country number or the humor in just a damn clever tune, Kid Goat is songs that feel like home played by musicians who feel at home. Their music can be heard at: http://www.myspace.com/kidgoat

June 9th

Dot Dash

Dot Dash is a post punk pop band from Washington D.C. that has its roots in a number of other D.C-area bands, including punky power poppers Julie Ocean; the mod-parka-clad Modest Proposal, Dischord-label punks Youth Brigade, and Slumberland janglers The Saturday People, among others.

Dot Dash's long playing debut, the 14-track spark>flame>ember>ash, was recently released by Canadian indie label The Beautiful Music. For more Dot Dash info: www.facebook.com/dotdashdc

June 16th

The Black Sparks

The Black Sparks are a punk band made up of five middle schoolers serious about their music and the alternative rock scene in DC. Their music is high energy, all original, post-punk that promises to be both dynamic and engaging. The Black Sparks have performed at the 9:30 Club (winning multiple Battles of the Bands), the Black Cat, Fort Reno, Fredericksburg All Ages, and other venues throughout the DC area. Not to be missed, the Black Sparks can be found at their website www.theblacksparks.com , and on MySpace and Facebook.

June 23rd

Down Tyme

Come ready to dance! Fronted by the soaring vocals of soulful songstress Alyce Walker, DownTyme also features Rob Orwin on keys and windsynth, Eric Carson on bass, Dwight Campbell on drums, and frequent guest artists that just happen by. Formed in 2009, the group has been delighting audiences with an infectious mix of R&B, neosoul, and smooth jazz from classic artists of the ‘70s and ‘80s (Luther Vandross, Anita Baker, Chaka Kahn) through contemporary artists of today (Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Erika Badu), all infused with DownTyme ’s own improvisatory flair. Their music can be heard at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/DownTyme/271637024794

June 30th

Batuque

Batuque (pronounced "bah-TOO'-kee") is a type of Brazilian music based on dance and rhythm brought by Africans to Brazil. Formed in 2010, this eclectic quintet also brews up fresh reinventions of familiar bossas and sambas plus high-energy biaios and forros, with a healthy heaping of Brazilian jazz. Fronted by Brazilian native Lucia Lima from the northeast city of Recife (home to the legendary singer/composer Luiz Gonzaga), Batuque also features Tom Kitchen on guitar, Rob Orwin on keyboard, Joe Lerner on bass, and Bruce Bond on drums/percussion. Check them out at http://www.facebook.com/batuqueband

July 7th

DaWena

Better known as the front man of The Honeyguns, soulful singer-songwriter, DaWena, brings his new sound to Adams Morgan as he makes his debut as a solo artist. Once described as “a mix of Sam Cooke and Sting”, DaWena fuses classic soul with rock & roll, while layering in his own brand of African-rooted vocals.

For more information contact: Kristen Barden 202-997-0783  or at kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org

Mayor Gray marked the early success of the Streetscape Loan Relief Fund in Adams Morgan on May 23

Mayor Vincent C. Gray was in Adams Morgan at The Reef Restaurant on 18th Street on Wednesday May 23rd along with Councilmember Jim Graham, other DC leaders and Adams Morgan business owners in celebrating the early successes of the Streetscape Loan Relief Fund (SLRF).

The fund provides flexible, interest-free loans designed to minimize the impacts of streetscape projects on small businesses. “I’m committed to helping the District build and adapt to a new economy – one characterized by resilient small businesses, a thriving ecosystem of startups and less dependence on the federal government,” Mayor Gray said. “The Streetscape Loan Relief Fund is a direct, concrete example of that commitment.”

The Mayor was joined by DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) Director Harold Pettigrew, local business owners Brian Harrison (The Reef Restaurant) and Katerina Herodotou (Meeps Vintage Fashionette), Adams Morgan Partnership Executive Director Kristen Barden, and Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) Executive Director Tim Flanagan at The Reef Restaurant on 18th Street NW.

The SLRF was launched in late November 2011 to provide interest-free loans to retail businesses inside or adjoining a streetscape construction or rehabilitation project. Its origins, however, date to November 2010 when the Council, under the leadership of then-Chairman Gray, moved to create the fund. Councilmember Graham, and stakeholder groups like the Adams Morgan Partnership and DC Main Streets organizations, played an essential role in designing the legislation that put the program together.

“It is very good news that we are implementing this program,” said Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham. “It is going to make a real difference.”

Established only six months ago, the Fund has already awarded nine (9) loans (4 of those loans were awarded to Adams Morgan businesses) with a total value of approximately $655,000, with another eight (8) loans valued at approximately $617,000 currently under consideration. Prior to the end of FY2011, DSLBD was able to work with the District’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer to increase the amount available for the fund from $723,000 to over $2.7 million.

“Many of our commercial corridors will be transformed as a result of streetscape projects,” said DSLBD Director Harold Pettigrew. “The benefits of these projects are clear, and it is equally clear that businesses impacted by these projects deserve our support. We’re pleased to provide this support and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our businesses as they serve and grow in our communities.”

To be eligible for an SLRF loan, a business must be independently owned, operated, and controlled; be licensed to operate and in good standing with the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA); have a Clean Hands Certificate from the Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) or state that the loan will be used to pay back taxes due to OTR; and demonstrate financial hardship or debt resulting from, or accumulated during, streetscape construction or rehabilitation in the District.

Recipient uses for SLRF loan proceeds include: working capital; inventory; repair of furniture, fixtures, machinery, or equipment; contract cash flow assistance; and payment of overdue rent or mortgage of retail business space affected by the streetscape construction or rehabilitation project.

“We are thrilled that the District is supporting small businesses not only in word but in action,” said WACIF President Timothy Flanagan. “To start up a loan fund on this time frame is outstanding; even more so when we’re getting dollars to businesses that return the investment to our community.”

“Last month, the Reef Restaurant celebrated its tenth year serving customers in the District of Columbia,” said Reef Restaurant owner Brian Harrison. “Without the Streetscape loan, I’m not sure we would have been able to celebrate that anniversary. This has been critical to our survival.”

To apply for or learn more about the Streetscape Loan Relief Fund, please visit http://dslbd.dc.gov/streetscapefund . To learn more about DSLBD, please visit http://dslbd.dc.gov

Small Business Energy Efficiency program

DCRA's Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) has partnered with the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) to provide a great opportunity for small business owners to apply for a grant to receive up to $7,000 (totally free if the business qualifies) towards energy improvements, for their business.

There are some scheduled info sessions avialable. See below for dates:

When: May 30 th and June 12 th , 16 th & 20 th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

May 31 st and June 14 th from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Location: DCRA - 1100 4 th Street, SW, Washington DC, 20024

Click Here to register!

Visit ddoe.dc.gov/smallbusiness for more information! See also the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdiZxQGlNcQ&feature=youtube

Update on the second hand business licensing issue - don't forget to sign the petition to support small businesses!

As reported in our 4-13-12 News You Can Use and again last week in the 5-17-12 edition of News You Can Use, on April 4, officials with the DC Office of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) raided a number of Adams Morgan and U Street area businesses that sell vintage and used goods. They threatened them with closure for failing to be properly licensed. However businesses were operating with a basic business license and believed they were operating according to the law.

With the Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District taking the lead, the impacted businesses brought this crisis to the attention of city leaders. In a face-to-face meeting with the executive director of the regulatory agency, his staff and a police department representative, assurances were made that the policies that led to this situation would be reviewed, a timeout was called on the raids and fines, and an apology was offered.

AND SINCE THEN, DCRA Director Nick Majett has signed off on the proposed changes to the second hand dealer regulations and sent them to Mayor Gray. ALSO THIS WEEK DCRA Director Majett authorized another 45 day stay on any regulatory action on these businesses.

But the problem isn’t solved. Ultimate resolution lies with the D.C. Council -- which must vote to amend the regulations.We’re hopeful that Councilmember Jim Graham will introduce the emergency exemption and then take up permanent legislation that we have submitted to establish a permanent exemption for businesses that sell used and vintage goods.

Supporters of small business can help by signing our petition at http://www.change.org/petitions/dc-city-council-stop-treating-record-stores-and-vintage-stores-like-pawn-shops . Only then will DC Council get the message that business regulations must be refined to allow for an exemption for small businesses that sell used, vintage or antique books, records, clothing, jewelry and furniture; and that a climate of mutual respect between businesses, the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs and the Metropolitan Police Department must be maintained.

Destination DC wants to promote your business - for FREE!

Destination DC would like to promote all restaurants and retailers in the Adams Morgan district on Washington.org , the official visitors’ website of Washington, DC. Washington.org attracts approximately 250,000 unique visitors a month and non-Destination DC retailers and restaurants will receive a listing on to include their business’ name, address, and phone number. This is a great opportunity for businesses to receive additional marketing exposure at absolutely no cost to the BID or to the restaurant or retailer.

In order to compile accurate information, Destination DC would like to coordinate the efforts by working with each BID in the city. Each quarter, a person from our Partnerships team will request an updated list of retailers and restaurants to include the appropriate information including business name, address, phone number, and contact information. The individual businesses would be added to the website and contacted only to ensure accuracy and not spammed.

Soooo in the next few weeks our intern will be coming around and asking for your contact information. Please take advantage of this opportunity to not only update OUR records but to make sure that the information we give to Destination DC is the most accurate it can be!

Destination DC appreciates your support in helping us create a more robust website for our visitors to experience.

If you have any questions about Destination DC, please feel free to contact them at: bruce.gudenberg@destinationdc.com or 202.789.7048.

TEDx comes to Adams Morgan - June 7th

x= independently organized TED event

TED is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with two annual conferences -- the TED Conference in Long Beach and Palm Springs each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the inspiring TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize.

Educators, Innovators and Artists Will Gather in Adams Morgan to Discuss

“The Forces of Change”

June 7th, 2012

1:00 to 6:00 PM

Sitar Arts Center

1700 Kalorama Road, NW

Washington, DC 20009

Tickets are now available at: http://tedxadamsmorgan.org