November 25, 2025
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.
Note: AMPBID offices will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Holiday Tree Lighting with the Grinch on Thursday, December 4th
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The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District will once again bring holiday cheer to the neighborhood with public art, holiday decorations, and a snowy sky with some holiday magic on Thursday, December 4th.
Visitors can experience the “All I Want Is You” interactive light display located in the plaza at Columbia Road and Adams Mill Road, NW. Designed and built by Davide Prete and Epigram Studios, the installation is what makes Adams Morgan such a wonderful place to live, work, play, and visit. The illuminated display makes for a beautiful backdrop for holiday card photos.
On
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, FROM 5:30 - 7PM,
the community is invited to help us light up the neighborhood as we unveil and light our interactive holiday display underneath a snow-filled sky.
The event will take place in the plaza at the corner of Columbia & Adams Mill Roads NW with live music from local cover band Gotcha Covered and a special appearance from The Grinch while snow falls from the sky throughout the event. There also will be hot cocoa samples provided by
Compass Coffee
and an
Ugly Sweater contest!
(watch our social media for more details on the contest and how to participate)
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Winter Coat & Accessories Drive for giving season at Lapis!
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The Popal Group (
Lapis
,
Lapop
, Lutèce,
Maison
, Pascual) is bringing back its Winter Coat & Accessories Drive for a second year to support
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
(LSSNCA). Until December 14, the team will collect new or like-new coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for refugees, immigrants, and local neighbors in need.
Donations can be dropped off daily at
Lapis
(1847 Columbia Rd NW) between 11 AM - 3 PM and 5 PM - 9 PM through December 14.
In December, the Lapis team will deliver the items and volunteer at LSSNCA’s Resource Center in Alexandria.
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IMPORTANT: Businesses with Steateries in the 2300-2400 blocks of 18th Street -- Platform removal starts next week
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All of the platforms will be removed beginning the first week of December. The jersey barriers are scheduled to be removed starting on Monday, December 1, after which the streateries themselves will be disassembled and removed.
All furniture, planters, etc. must be removed from the streateries by Sunday, November 30 or it will be discarded.
Once the structures have been removed and the street has been cleaned, the road will be re-striped to match its pre-pandemic configuration. New meters and signage will also be installed.
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Great Streets and Other Grants Announced
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More information for the following grants (and other opportunities) can be found at
ObviouslyDC.com
.
Click here
for a list of upcoming information sessions and to register to attend.
🪙FY26 Great Streets Grants
Request for Applications (RFA) release date:
December 12, 2025
Submission Deadline:
January 16, 2026
DMPED expects to award multiple grants under the Program, in an aggregate amount of up to $2,000,000, contingent on the availability of an appropriated budget in such amount.
Awards are anticipated to be up to $90,000
.
Click here
for the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for more information including eligibility criteria.
🪙FY26 Locally Made Manufacturing Grants
Request for Applications (RFA) release date:
December 12, 2025
Submission Deadline:
January 16, 2026
DMPED expects to award multiple grants under the Program, in an aggregate amount of up to $1,500,000, contingent on the availability of an appropriated budget in such amount.
Click here
for the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for more information including eligibility criteria.
🪙FY26 Emerging Retail Initiative Grants
Request for Applications (RFA) release date:
December 12, 2025
Submission Deadline:
January 16, 2026
DMPED expects to award multiple grants under the Program, with a total funding amount of up to $200,000, contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds.
Individual awards are anticipated to be up to $20,000
.
Click here
for the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for more information including eligibility criteria.
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Adams Morgan Farmers Market
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The Adams Morgan Farmers Market at Unity Park (
Champlain St. at Columbia Rd., NW
) is open for the season on
Saturdays
from
8:30am - 1:00pm through December 20
featuring
Licking Creek Bend Farm
and
Ravenhook Bakehouse. Remie's Flowers and Plants
are back as well.
Ravenhook will be featuring:
Lemon Curd Brioche; Swiss Chard, Onion, & Mozzarella Focaccia; Savory Pumpkin Bread; and Death by Chocolate Cherry Cookies (GF)
Come to the Adams Morgan Farmers Market for fresh picked, chemical-free (and tariff-free) produce. We're entering the fall season. Our amazing, hard working staff tells us the fall will produce:
a wide variety of Winter Squashes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Eggplant, Melons, Chicory Root, Apples, Hot peppers, Herbs, Basil, Pears, Amaranth, String Beans Snap Peas, Garlic and Collard Greens, Jerusalem (also called) Sun Chokes
...and other fall goodies and they say some surprises along with seasonal fruits from our partner orchard.
Plastic bags are no longer available from the market, so please remember your own bags!
Look for the announcement about the availability of pesticide-free Christmas Trees at the market.
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Wednesday, December 3 at 5:30 pm
Join neighbors on the front steps of
The Festival Center
(1640 Columbia Rd NW) to hand out yummy hot coca from Potter's House to passersby while we enjoy our favorite holiday songs and enjoy spending time with one another!
RSVP here
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Let’s End the Year with Laughter — For A Cause!
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Miriam's Kitchen is thrilled to invite you to their December special event:
Comedy Night to End Chronic Homelessness
, an evening full of good vibes, great people, and hilarious performances in partnership with Grassroots Comedy — all supporting Miriam’s Kitchen’s mission to end chronic homelessness in DC.
Join in for a night where your laughter and the magic of the holiday spirit make an impact. Every ticket helps fund meals, housing support, and advocacy for our unhoused neighbors. Because everyone deserves a place to call home.
Saturday, December 13 at 7pm
The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd NW)
Tickets on Eventbrite
: $33 general admission
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Ballot Initiative Reform Hearing Dec. 5
DC Council holds a hearing next month on proposed reforms to the District's ballot initiative process.
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What's in the Bill:
At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds’
Fair Initiatives Lend Transparency to Every Resident Act
would require fiscal impact statements before initiatives appear on ballots, limit measures to a single subject, prohibit the same proposal from returning to voters within 6 years, and extend timelines for legal review and public objections.
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Why It Matters:
The changes – which are a strong start – would bring greater transparency and deliberation to the initiative process. If these protections were in place in 2022 they would have prevented Initiative 82 reaching the ballot.
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Sound Off:
The hearing is 10 am Dec. 5. Stay tuned for sign-up information and
contact Che
to learn more about how these reforms could affect future ballot measures.
New Revolving Fund Opens for DC Restaurants
Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced a new Capitalized Revolving Fund Program with micro-lines of credit up to $10,000 for small businesses that struggle to access traditional financing.
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Why This Matters:
The program fills a gap for restaurants needing short-term working capital without conventional lending barriers. Funds can be used for equipment, payroll, marketing, or operational expenses.
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Next Steps:
Applications are open now through Dec. 12. Your restaurant must be District-based, licensed, maintain a business bank account, and demonstrate barriers to traditional credit access.
Read the full program details and apply today
.
RAMMYS Nominations Now Open
Time to shine!
Nominations are now open
for the 44th annual RAMMYS Awards.
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Spotlight Excellence:
From Best New Restaurant, to Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year, to Chef of the Year, help us celebrate industry excellence. Nominate now through Feb. 1, 2026.
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Put Your Best Forward:
Self-nominations are welcomed and encouraged. No one knows your restaurant's hard work and achievements better than you do. Don't wait –
submit your nominations today
!
Free AI Strategy Webinar for Restaurant Operators
RAMW Allied Member Acme Paper & Supply presents Demystifying AI, a guide to implementing artificial intelligence in your restaurant operations without falling into common pitfalls.
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Why This Matters:
Nick Damoulakis, president of software and AI development company
Orases
, breaks down what makes the difference between failure and success, including:
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Why 95% of AI initiatives fail and how to avoid the Valley of Death in change management.
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How to align vision, consensus, and skills to manage complex transformation.
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Simple frameworks for identifying high-impact, low-risk AI opportunities.
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Register Now:
The webinar is at 10 am on Dec. 9.
Sign up today
.
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Available for Public Comment: BEPS Guidebook for Compliance Cycle 1 version 1.2
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DOEE recently published a proposed revision (v1.2) of the Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) Compliance and Enforcement Guidebook for Compliance Cycle 1 (Guidebook) public comment. The Guidebook is a plain text explanation of the laws and regulations implementing the BEPS Program. It is intended to assist building owners in understanding the requirements, compliance methods, and enforcement of the BEPS Program. The Guidebook was originally published for public comment on June 18, 2021 and published in its final version on March 23, 2022. In response to BEPS Program changes arising from the Building Energy Performance Standards Amendment Act of 2024, ongoing stakeholder feedback, and four years of Program implementation experience, DOEE is proposing substantial changes to the Guidebook.
DOEE seeks comments on the proposed revision of the Guidebook, particularly the new sections addressing exemption from building energy performance requirements (new Chapter 6) and guidance for demonstrating financial distress (new Appendix D). A person may view the proposed changes by downloading a copy (clean and "redline" versions available) from
the Department’s website
.
All persons desiring to comment on the proposed revision of the BEPS Compliance and Enforcement Guidebook for Compliance Cycle 1 should submit comments no later than December 29, 2025. Instructions for submitting comments to DOEE are available
here
.
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Eligible Small Businesses Can Apply for a $20K Grant
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American Express and Main Street America are helping small businesses to grow, innovate and support their local communities through the Amex Shop Small Grants Program this Small Business Saturday®.
Beginning November 29, eligible small business owners can apply to receive $20,000 in funding. Terms apply.
In addition, every time an American Express® Card Member shops with their eligible Card at a qualifying U.S. small business on Saturday, November 29, American Express will donate $1 to Main Street America for the Shop Small Grants Program. Funds raised will be donated back to the program to expand on our commitment and support additional small businesses across all 50 states and D.C.*
Click here
to find out more about the program
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ARE YOU HIRING?
Join the RAMW/DOES Hospitality Hiring Fair
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RAMW is partnering with the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) to co-host a special "Hospitality Hiring Day".
Tuesday, December 9th; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DOES Headquarters; 4058 Minnesota Ave., NE, WDC
There is no cost to participate however space is limited!
Don't miss this opportunity to meet over 250 job seekers interested in securing a position in the food and hospitality industry.
This is specifically a hiring event, and you will have the opportunity to interview and hire employees that day!
Let RAMW know
if you are interested in participating
.
Upon confirmation of your your interest, a link and instructions to register for the event will be emailed to you. You must have your EIN # to register.
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Panel Discussion -- Access Granted: Navigating Capital for Small Business Success
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Tuesday, December 2 | 2pm-3:30pm
DC Chamber of Commerce, 1776 Eye Street NW
2nd Floor Conference Center
Access to capital remains one of the greatest challenges — and opportunities — for small business owners. This engaging fireside chat will bring together experts from the financial, advocacy, and education sectors to discuss practical strategies for financing growth, building relationships with lenders, and unlocking new pathways to success.
Moderator:
Chinyere Hubbard, President & CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce
Panel Participants
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Aaron Fenwick, DC BizCAP Program Manager, Banking Bureau
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Michelle Hammonds, Director, Office of Financial Empowerment for Education
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Jessica Macias Vasquez, Business Banking Relationship Manager, EagleBank
Click here to register
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Thanksgiving Day Extended Hours, Office Closure
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In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, ABCA’s office will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28. We will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 1.
Extended Hours
For Thanksgiving Day and weekend, alcohol licensed establishments enrolled in the
Extended Holiday Hours Program
may sell, serve, and allow on-premises consumption of alcohol starting the evening of Wednesday, November 26, and ending at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 30.
Licensees may confirm enrollment by locating their establishment’s name on the 2025 Thanksgiving Extended Hours Roster. If you believe your establishment was omitted by error, email
ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov
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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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💸Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Application
Amount: Free Business Training
Deadline: Rolling
Learn more here
We look for applicants who are passionate about growing their business and creating jobs in their communities who generally meet these criteria: - Small business owner or co-owner - Business revenues over $75,000 in the most recent fiscal year - Business in operation for 2+ years -Business with 2+ employees (including the owner).
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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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