March 11, 2016

Neighborhood News

Bike to Work Day Registration is now open

Taste of Adams Morgan  - May 3, 2016

ABRA starting Saturday hours to accommodate license renewals

Resources of interest to Small Businesses

Neighborhood News

1) AMPBID reauthorization schedule this Spring/Summer

At the March 8th, 2016 AMPBID Board meeting the board voted affirmatively

(13 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention) to approve the 5 Year Business Plan for 2017

through 2021.

The 5 Year Plan was sent on Wednesday the 9th to the Mayor and DSLBD with

a resolution that requests that the Adams Morgan Partnership BID be

reauthorized for another 5 year term. Our current term is set to expire on

September 30, 2016.

The Mayor and DSLBD will now issue a notice of preliminary finding and then

will schedule a public hearing. The date of the hearing will be advertised

with at least 21 days notice in multiple sources. We anticipate the hearing

will be in late May, June or July.

Copies of the proposed 5 Year Business Plan were mailed to all BID members

(commercial property owners and business owners) on February 26th. If you

didn't receive your copy, please contact Kristen at 202-997-0783 or by

email at Kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org and she will send you another

copy. If you would like a PDF of the business plan, please also ask Kristen.

Thanks very much.

2) Reminder: Rock 'N Roll Marathon is TOMORROW

This is a friendly reminder that the Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Marathon &

1/2 is coming up TOMORROW Saturday, March 12, 2016 .  Informational

door hangers was distributed to residents, businesses and organizations

along the route this week.

Visit the website to view an interactive course map and download PDF

versions of the course map and road closure times. If you are affiliated with

a community group or business along the route, please share this

information with your members and/or employees. Please contact our staff

with any questions.

You’re invited to get involved with this exciting event.  Spectators are

encouraged to line the route to cheer tens of thousands of athletes

towards the finish line.  Volunteers are still needed at the Expo and on

Race Day.   Please sign up online.

Thank you,

Community Relations Department
Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Marathon & 1/2
Saturday, March 12, 2016

http://www.runrocknroll.com/dc/the-races/road-closures/

2) Ace Hardware Store opened at 1704 Columbia Road, NW

From the press release sent on March 8th:

America’s most celebrated “helpful place” opened its doors in Adams Morgan

last week. The much anticipated Adams Morgan Ace Hardware

is nestled in the former Ontario Theatre building, located at 1704 Columbia

Rd. NW. Store owners Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman bring the company’s

unique blend of personal and knowledgeable customer service to the new

location, providing quality home maintenance expertise and products to

Adams Morgan residents.

The store is designed to reflect the needs of the local community, including

solutions to everyday home maintenance projects and an extensive array

of high quality products in categories such as paint, housewares, and lawn

and garden. “We have wanted to be in Adams Morgan for many years now,”

says Gina Schaefer, owner of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, “so opening in

such an iconic location is very exciting for us.” The new location is the 11th

store opened by A Few Cool Hardware Stores, including 5 other DC locations

, 3 locations in Baltimore, MD and the newly acquired Old Town Ace

Hardware in Alexandria, VA.

The 5,000 square foot store is packed with thousands of essential products

and showcases a variety of niche items, including locally made goods by DC

artisans, live goods, and more.

The grand opening festivities will be scheduled for this Summer. Adams

Morgan neighbors are encouraged to join our Founding Members email list

to receive exclusive updates on the grand opening celebration and special

offers throughout the year.

Adams Morgan Ace Hardware is part of a group of local Ace hardware

shops known as A Few Cool Hardware Stores, founded in 2003 . The friendly

staff provides goods and services to

meet the needs of its valued customer and improve the quality of life for local

residents. For more information, please call (410) 327-0404 x18 or visit us

online at www.acehardwaredc.com .

Sincerely,

Gina Schaefer
Store Owner

A Few Cool Hardware Stores

Adams Morgan Ace Hardware
1704 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, D.C. 20009

3) WRAP's Sober Ride available again March 17-18th

WRAP’s 2016 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide campaign is scheduled to run from 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day) until 4:00 a.m. Friday, March 18, 2016.

WRAP’s SoberRide program is one of the nation’s most successful free cab rides programs for would-be impaired drivers. However, prevention is essential for keeping our highways safe during high-risk holidays.

If your organization needs an alcohol awareness presentation, WRAP’s Safe And Vital Employees (SAVE) program is available free of cost to you. This 45-minute, customized presentation will inform employees and/or military personnel about the physical, economic and legal consequences of impaired driving.

Visit us at www.soberride.com . Please be safe during this holiday.

Regards,

Tammy Wan

Program Manager

Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP)

7700 Leesburg Pike, Suite 249

Falls Church, VA 22043

tel           703.893.0461

fax          703.893.0465

email tammy@wrap.org

http www.wrap.org

The AMPBID will be passing out SoberRide posters and business cards to businesses early next week.

4) Cherry Blossom Festival advertising possibilities

The 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival, held March 20 – April 17, will illuminate the region in pink this spring through the City in Bloom campaign.

City in Bloom, now in its fifth year, allows businesses, organizations, and individuals to showcase spring and visually unite and energize the DC metro area for over 1.5 million people throughout the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  Iconic buildings, retailers, public transportation entities, and more showcase the start of spring with pink lighting and blossom decals, welcoming attendees with the energy and vibrancy of the nation’s greatest springtime celebration.

We hope that you will participate in City in Bloom this year. WE (THE ADAMS MORGAN PARTNERSHIP) are purchasing small and large blossom decals and will pass those out to all our businesses. Also available for purchase are pink LED outdoor string lights, a great way to brighten your patio and outdoor spaces with a splash of cherry blossom this spring!

WE (AMPBID) are also collecting a list of businesses that are doing something special during the Cherry Blossom Festival. It could be a cherry cocktail, a cherry dessert, everything pink in the store is 20% off, or anything else you think would be fun with the cherry blossom theme. Please send Nathan Ackerman your cherry theme item by TODAY and we will combine all of those into a press release - send to nathan@18thstreetmedia.com

The Festival is pleased to list retail package supporters as participants in City in Bloom on their website (1.9 million visits from 1.3 million unique visitors).  After we distribute the decals - PLEASE SEND THE FESTIVAL a picture of your decal decorations and they might even feature your business as part of their social media outreach!

For more information about how to get involved, please visit the website National Cherry Blossom Festival .  With your support, together we will make the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival the nation’s greatest springtime celebration .

Questions? Contact Remi Wallace.

Remi Wallace

Program Manager, External Relations
National Cherry Blossom Festival
1250 H Street, NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202.638.8372

rwallace@ncbfdc.org

2016 Festival dates: March 20 through April 17

5) Goodbye to a couple cherished Adams Morgan businesses

We learned this week that And Beige is closing. After being in Adams Morgan for 10 years Daren and staff decided not to renew their lease.  No definite plans but they are excited about what the future holds.

Daren wishes all his Adams Morgan colleagues a wonderful and successful rest of the year.  Thank you very much for everything!  : )

DAREN MILLER
AND BEIGE,
1781 Florida Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
daren@andbeige.com
T. 202.234.1557
F. 202.234.1559


Pasta Mia is closing at the end of March

Our beloved Italian restaurant, Pasta Mia, is slated to shut down for good this month after 25 years in business. Roberto Broglia is really retiring this time. He has threatened to do this before, but this time is sounds certain.

Pasta Mia has been at 1790 Columbia Road NW since 1991 and is known for hearty pasta dishes and devoted customers who often queue down Columbia Road before it opens for dinner.

Best wishes Don Roberto and your staff we'll miss you!

Bike to Work Day - May 20th - Registration is OPEN!

The 2016 Bike to Work Day web site is now live and open for registration!

Bike to Work Day: The Best Thing on Two Wheels

One of nation’s largest Bike to Work Day celebrations is on Friday, May 20th

brought to you by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) . Ride with thousands of cyclists, new and experienced,

and enjoy a healthy commute that helps improve traffic congestion and air

quality in the metropolitan Washington region. There will be free T-shirts, food, beverages and prizes for registrants who attend.

A record-breaking number of cyclists are expected to participate again this

year so register soon here: www.biketoworkmetrodc.org . The first 15,000
commuters who register receive free T-shirts (cut off date= May 12th) and are automatically entered into a chance to win one of many bikes donated by REI and BicycleSPACE.

The Adams Morgan Partnership BID is pleased to partner with CityBikes ,

BicycleSPACE and Tryst to host a pit stop in Unity Park at Columbia/Champlain and Euclid Streets from 7:30 to 9:30 am.

Say hello to our staff and volunteers who will be greeting commuters. Cyclists must register for one pit stop but are welcome to visit any of the 82 pit stops in the DC Metro region along their way to work.

All Adams Morgan businesses are welcome to offer free food and give-away items. Please contact Kristen at kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org if you would like to participate.


As part of a regional Employer Challenge, the top five companies with the

most employees registered for Bike to Work Day will be placed into a raffle

for a free catered lunch! The luncheon is exclusive to employees who

participate in this event. When registering, your employees are also invited to enter for a chance to win a free installed bike rack for your office.

See you May 20!

Commuter Connections

(800) 745-RIDE

http://www.commuterconnections.org

Taste of Adams Morgan - May 3rd, 2016

In benefit of Mary’s Center - Tuesday, May 3- 5-9pm

Mary's Center and the Adams Morgan Partnership BID would like to invite you, friends, and family to the 4th Annual Taste of Adams Morgan .

Stroll, sip, and sample your way through DC’s most vibrant neighborhoods on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 , from 5-9pm at the 4th Annual Taste of Adams Morgan event in benefit of Mary’s Center.

Taste of Adams Morgan is an annual culinary stroll where over 15 local restaurants open their doors to provide tastings to 500+ attendees. All proceeds benefit Mary’s Center.

Purchase 4 ($25) or 8 ($40) tasting tickets online at www.maryscenter.org or on the day of the event at the following location: A Little Shop of Flowers (2421 18th Street, NW).

Adams Morgan’s best restaurants will serve small plates of their signature dishes to raise funds for Mary’s Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides high quality health care, education, and social services to nearly 40,000 individuals annually in the DC Metropolitan area, regardless of ability to pay.

Restaurants are still needed! Please contact Angeline Jefferson to sign up to be a participating restaurant (202) 420-7049 or ajefferson@maryscenter.org

Not familiar with Mary’s Center? Just off of 18th Street at the corner of Ontario and Kalorama, Mary’s Center’s bustling main offices have been serving the DC metro area since 1988. Entering their 25th year, with now seven locations and two mobile medical units, Mary’s Center continues to fulfill its mission of building better futures through the delivery of health care, education, and social services. They embrace culturally diverse communities and provide them with the highest quality of care. In 2015, we expect to provide nearly 40,000 individuals hailing from 110 countries with access to top-notch healthcare, education, and social services. Your gift will help to fuel our services that place our participants on the path toward good health, stable families, and economic independence. Learn more about Mary’s Center at: www.maryscenter.org .

ABRA starting Saturday hours to accommodate license renewals

It's time for all District restaurant, hotel, multipurpose facility, club and caterer licensees to renew alcoholic beverage licenses.

License renewals may only be done in person at the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration's (ABRA) office. In an effort to better accommodate businesses, ABRA's office will be open to process renewals every Saturday during the month of March.

Saturday hours and regular office hours are as follows:

9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 19 and 26 from

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday

at

2000 14th Street, NW, 4th Floor, Suite 400 South, Washington DC 20009

Licensees are encouraged to visit ABRA's office as soon as possible to complete license renewals. By doing so, licensees will avoid long lines and wait times at the end of the month.

A renewal application not returned by deadline will be subject to a late fee of $50 per day—not to exceed the cost of the license—and cancellation. All restaurants, hotels, multipurpose facilities, clubs, marine vessels, trains and caterers in the District are to renew alcoholic beverage licenses no later than Thursday, March 31, 2016.

Complete renewal details are available on ABRA's website . Licensees that have questions about renewals can contact ABRA's Licensing Division by emailing or calling (202) 442-4423.

- www.abra.dc.gov -

Resources of interest to small businesses

BUILD IT IN DC

General & Home Improvement Contractor Forum

The Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) will hold the Second Annual Build It in DC: General Contractor and Home Improvement Contractor Forum (Forum).  The overall goal of the event is to disseminate information, inspire entrepreneurship, and create an atmosphere to foster positive action and to receive feedback. The target audience includes current business owners who want to grow their business, get ideas, and have an opportunity to network with other business owners and District leaders.

Date: Monday, March 14, 2016

Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center

801 Mt Vernon Place NW| Washington, DC 20001

To register: www.BuildItinDC.com

For more information please contact Tamika Wood at (202) 442-8004.

2016 Small Business Leadership Summit

Date: May 8-11, 2016 in Washington, D.C

The 2016 Summit will bring together policymakers and 250 of the nation’s most innovative small business owners—yourself included. Over the course of four days, you’ll attend meetings with D.C. elites, including Members of Congress, senior members of the Obama Administration and industry experts. You will also have the opportunity to participate in panels and breakout sessions to outline policy concerns for 2016.

The Summit features numerous networking opportunities, an awards ceremony, reception, and training programs.

We’d like to offer you (members of the Adams Morgan BID) the registration price of $300 to participate in this information packed opportunity, so don’t delay! You will also need to cover your transportation and lodging.

Please visit our registration page to sign up. Sign in with Kristen Barden's email (kbarden@adamsmorganonline.org) and code WDC94965 to register. After your registration is complete, you can log back into the portal any time to view your current registration, apply for a scholarship and to sign up for breakout sessions when they become available. Please note your registration is not complete without payment submission.

We hope you can join us!

If you have any questions, please contact Iris Pedowitz, Small Business Engagement Manager at ipedowitz@smallbusinessmajority.org .