August 15, 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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AdMo Vibe Summer Concert Series Features Emma G next week
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AdMo Vibe
is a series of free, outdoor concerts featuring local musicians in Kalorama Park on Columbia Road, NW.
AdMo Vibe is the ultimate setting for a family night out, date night, relaxing evening in the park, or solo adventure. The bands will be playing various genres of music including folk, pop, country, rock, jazz, and more. Participants can picnic with takeout from a local restaurant, enjoy good vibes with neighbors and friends, and visit an array of shops and boutiques just steps away before or after the performances.
REMAINING CONCERT SCHEDULE:
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Wednesday, August 21 from 6-7:30pm:
Emma G
(Pop & Soul)
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Wednesday, August 28 from 6-7:30pm:
Makeup Date for rained out show (stay tuned for details)
For a limited time, Adams Morgan restaurants will be offering specials before, during, and after the concerts.
Restaurant specials and business discounts are available on the website!
Adams Morgan businesses wanting to offer specials, please
click here
to submit or email
Brian Barrie
for more information.
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Summer Restaurant Week continues through Sunday!
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It’s the most delicious time of the year!
Join 11 Adams Morgan restaurants for
RAMW's Summer Restaurant Week
on August 12-18. Enjoy brunch or lunch for $25 or $35. Delight in dinner for $40, $55, or $65. Experience the best of local cuisine this summer! Here’s the list of participating neighborhood restaurants -- make your reservations while tables are still available:
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The Adams Morgan Farmers Market at Unity Park
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Every Saturday through December
8:30am - 1:00pm
at Unity Park (Corner of Euclid St and Columbia Rd)
Celebrating more than 52 years serving the Adams Morgan community.
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN BAGS and CONTAINERS for fragile produce.
From the market:
ONLY 2 MORE WEEKS TO ORDER BULK PEACHES AND SEVERAL MORE FOR TOMATOES
We just got word that our peach season will end by Labor Day (September 2). This is very early but this year the season started early. So, if you want a ½ bushel (approx. 30lbs), order by Wednesday morning no later than noon this week and next week. Email us at
esiegel2@igc.org
Pick up will be at the Adams Morgan Farmers Market, Saturdays, 8:30am - 1:00pm, Unity Plaza, Columbia Rd and Euclid St. Cost - $35 if you bring your own boxes and $40 to take one of our boxes.
We’ll also have bulk TOMATOES for several more weeks. 10lb flats for $30. Same ordering and pick up schedule
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More About Those Proposals to End Taxes on Tips: We’ve been closely following this one on the campaign trail along with you. Following former President Donald Trump’s pledge to end taxing gratuities, Vice President Kamala Harris has similarly called to eliminate taxes on tips.
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Bills, Bills, Bills:
A number of proposals have been introduced since June, including the
No Tax on Tips Act
by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, its companion
House bill
; and the
Tip Tax Termination
Act from Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon.
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More Bills:
There’s also
this bill
from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), and a proposal to
exclude service charges
from FICA taxes was introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR, in May.
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Did You Know?
Texas Rep. Ron Paul was the first to introduce a bill to ban taxing tips in 2007.
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Dive Deeper:
Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, breaks it down – including how the various bills could affect the employer FICA Tip Credit – on this week’s
Working Lunch podcast
.
Alert: Increase in Targeted Restaurant Thefts in Georgetown
The Georgetown Business Improvement District has advised restaurants to be on the lookout for a group of individuals targeting restaurants.
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Details:
After asking to use the restroom or for staff to check for an item in lost and found, the individuals find the restaurant’s office and take cash. MPD last week
released photos
of the suspects. At least one restaurant was also burglarized when someone entered the kitchen through an unlocked back door and took an employee’s purse.
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Deeper Dive:
While violent crime in the District is
down 35 percent
, restaurants and bars have reported burglaries, and in some cases repeated break-ins and thefts, this summer throughout the District, including H Street, Shaw, and Spring Valley.
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From the Chief
: At our July town hall, MPD Chief of Police Pamela Smith advised RAMW members to strengthen your restaurant’s doors and windows and post each district’s
main desk number
for your teams. Anyone with information about any of these burglaries should call police at 202-727-9099 or text the MPD tip line at 50411.
OHR: Managers Can Now Complete Anti-Harassment Training Online
The District Office of Human Rights this month said both restaurant employees and managers can complete required anti-sexual harassment training online.
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Backstory:
Previously managers were required to take anti-sexual harassment classes in person, which drove up training costs.
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Behind the Scenes:
RAMW worked with DC Councilmembers to amend two separate pieces of legislation (March’s Restaurant Revitalization and Dram Shop Clarification Act and June’s FY2025 Budget Support Act) to make online training available for all workers.
From Our Partners at DC Health Link: Join RAMW's Broker+Business Connect Session to Learn How to Keep Your Business Healthy with the Right Insurance Coverage
Building a successful small business is hard work, finding affordable, quality health insurance for your business doesn’t have to be. RAMW invites you to join our next
Broker + Business Connect
, a 30-minute session designed to provide small businesses a forum with a licensed agent/broker to learn and ask questions about securing health insurance coverage for themselves and their employees, whether full-time or part-time, through DC Health Link, the District’s online health insurance marketplace.
Join us Tuesday, August 20th, from 9:30 to 10:00 am for the
Broker+Business Connect
Q&A to get FREE expert advice and the right tools to find the best health insurance solution for your business and team.
Date: Tuesday, August 20, 2024; Time: 9:30 - 10:00 am
Platform: Zoom
Registration Link
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CameraConnect DC
, the Metropolitan Police Department’s new community camera sharing program, gives residents, business owners, institutions, and others an additional way to help police solve crime in their neighborhood. It is clear that video footage helps MPD investigators effectively solve cases, so increasing our awareness and ability to obtain footage from more locations increases our ability to combat and solve crime.
The program offers two ways community members, businesses, hotels, and other institutions can help police to make our communities safer:
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FOR RESIDENTS:
By registering your camera system — such as a doorbell camera or private CCTV system — giving officers advance knowledge of available sources of evidence should a crime occur near your location. Registration is free.
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FOR COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS:
By registering and making your system available for instant access should a threat or incident occur near your location. This approach leverages new technology to allow camera feeds from businesses, multifamily dwellings, and commercial facilities to be shared with MPD’s Real Time Crime Center for live viewing of threats and crimes as they occur.
Click here
for more information and a registration form.
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In-Person Outreach Has Begun for 2024 DC Small Business Census
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After reaching out to businesses by phone, survey takers have moved on to in-person outreach.
If you have not already responded to the census, survey takers wearing a white polo that says “Census Survey Team” may visit your business in person.
If your business is closed or if no staff present are able to respond to the survey, they will leave a leave-behind flyer at your place of business with a unique login ID to respond to the census. You can take the survey in your own time by visiting
dcsmallbusinesscensus.com
and entering your unique login ID.
More information can be found at
dmped.dc.gov/sbc
. Business owners may reach out to the project team with any questions at
DCSmallBusinessCensus@bbcresearch.com
or at the contact information listed on the project website.
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Lotus Renewal: A Healing Justice Summit
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Join the
Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
(A/PI DVRP) at The Festival Center for a transformative event centered around healing justice. With a stacked schedule of workshops and performances from morning until evening, join DVRP community to make art with friends and learn from our inspiring facilitators. This summit is a space for renewal, growth, and healing. Come together to explore ways to to move toward a future of collective liberation.
The LOTUS RENEWAL: A HEALING JUSTICE SUMMIT is rooted in the Healing Justice framework introduced by the Kindred Southern Healing Justice Collective. This transformative approach addresses systemic violence and trauma experienced by oppressed communities, emphasizing collective care, resilience, and holistic healing methods.
About DVRP:
The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (A/PI DVRP) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to support and mobilize Asian/Pacific Islanders in the DMV area to build safer communities by responding to harm and striving to end gender and power-based violence.
Saturday, August 17 · 11am - 5pm EDT
The Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Rd., NW
Click here
to register and for more information.
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Columbia Road Bus Priority Project Construction Update
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Construction has begun on the Columbia Road Bus Priority Project.
Work will be weather dependent and began with site prep work. The first phase of construction will occur between Connecticut Avenue and 18th Street.
Work will be completed in two phases:
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Phase 1 is west of 18th Street
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Phase 2 is east of 18th Street
The parking regulations changes on side streets will be implemented concurrently with Phase 1 concrete work through the whole corridor.
The first step will be concrete work in Phase 1:
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Work will begin near Columbia and California and they will generally work northeast from there
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Each of the following elements will take about seven days, but weather and possible streetcar tracks embedded deep in roadway foundation may extend that timeline: Six boarding platforms; Two pedestrian refuges
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If Phase 1 concrete work moves quickly (streetcar tracks minimally impact construction duration), work on Phase 2 concrete work will begin immediately. If Phase 1 concrete work is slow, Phase 2 may not begin until Spring 2025. (Pavement markings cannot be installed in cold weather, so DDOT will not begin work if there is a risk we will not be able to finish before winter.)
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After concrete work, any necessary roadway resurfacing will be completed. That should last less than two weeks.
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Lastly, all of the new pavement markings, vertical barriers, and signs will be installed.
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Construction of Phase 1 could be complete before October, but if there are substantial delays, it will extend into November.
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Phase 2 will follow the same progression of items 3, 5, and 6 above. However, it should move faster because there are only two boarding platforms and one pedestrian refuge. I will provide an update once that is ready to move forward.
The construction process can be frustrating and we appreciate your patience over the coming months.
Link to download plans
To learn more about the project visit the
project website
.
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Take the Climate Ready DC 2.0 Survey
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The climate is changing. Precipitation, flooding, and extreme heat are becoming more frequent and more extreme in the District of Columbia.
Community feedback is an important part of hearing how these changes affect life in the District and understanding what government can do to help the city and its residents prepare.
As the District strives to reduce our contributions to global climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, we must also prepare for a new climate future.
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) are revising
Climate Ready DC
and the Climate Action chapter of
Resilient DC
. When completed, these updated documents will create a roadmap for how District government can best ensure that District residents, businesses, infrastructure and environment can thrive in the face of climate change.
DOEE wants to hear from you to make sure the new strategies to be included in Climate Ready DC 2.0 are right. DOEE and HSEMA invite you to share your stories and thoughts by taking the survey, finding us at upcoming events, or signing up for email updates about the project on our website.
Take the
Climate Ready DC 2.0 Survey
today!
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DC Small Biz Help Workshop: Summer 2024 Calendar
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Have you heard? The new
DCSmallBizHelp.com
is here! CNHED is excited to announce the relaunch of
DCSmallBizHelp
, a one-stop resource hub to help plan, start, and grow your small business. The newly revamped website connects small businesses to various services, programs, lenders, and government agencies in the District.
Check out the upcoming training and knowledge building opportunities in
CNHED's DC Small Business Help Workshop Calendar
.
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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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Creative and Open Space Modernization Tax Rebate
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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
Go to
ObviouslyDC.com
for more information on all of these programs.
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💸Queer to Stay: Resources for LGBTQ+ Business Owners
Amount: Free Business Coaching
Apply by August 31st
Learn more here
This program is designed to support LGBTQ+ small businesses, especially those owned by and designed for LGBTQ+ people of color, women and the transgender community.
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💸Boundless Future Foundation: EmpowerHer Grants
Award: Variable
Deadline: August 31st
Learn more here
Financial and leadership resources for aspiring female entrepreneurs building businesses to solve today's biggest social issues so they can have a boundless impact in society.
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💸Fast Break for Small Business
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: September 13th
Learn more here
In collaboration with the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League, offers small business owners and entrepreneurs the chance to win a $10,000 grant and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and services.
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💸Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program
Award: $25,000-$100,000
Deadline: September 30th
Learn more here
LISC and Foot Locker, Inc. are launching a fourth round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, which funds nonprofit community organizations offering a range of services for young people, including health and wellness, education and life skills, mentoring, and career development.
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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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💸 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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Small Business Resource Center
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DC APEX Accelerators help businesses
DC APEX Accelerator
offers personalized business counseling and competitive insights for navigating the government contracting process successfully.
If you already have experience working on government contracts and are looking for help to secure other contracts, we are available to help. At the DC APEX Accelerator, businesses get help with strategies to pursue state, local, and federal government contracts.
The full calendar of upcoming events can be found
here
.
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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 as well as in-person (hybrid) 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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