NoMa BID ambassadors canvas the BID’s 250 acres on a daily basis, helping those in need and forming relationships with employees, residents and visitors. This summer, three local residents joined our four-person ambassador team. Last newsletter’s story featured Michael Harris and Thomas Henderson, DC residents who completed a 10-week hospitality program with the DC Department of Employment Services. Michael and Thomas, as well as Nalan Ross, scored high marks on their certification, which covers interaction and people skills for the hotel, retail and tourism sectors.

Nalan Ross, a native of the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast DC, has thoroughly enjoyed his summer with the BID staff. "I like the concept of [working here]," he said, "as far as helping people. That’s my favorite part - doing something for the community." Ross appreciates what he’s learned about interacting with people, an important skill for any job, he says. The most beneficial aspect of the summer to him was a sign language class - attended by all BID staff - provided by Gallaudet University’s Daniel Fisher.

Albert Williams Jr. joined the BID ambassador team nearly two years ago after taking a customer relations training course. Like many of the BID’s gregarious ambassadors, Albert cites his love of people as a key component of this job. "My favorite aspect is the people I meet and deal with on a daily basis, and the smiles I get to put on their faces," he says. The area exudes an energy and community feel that motivates him to come to work each day. "NoMa is happening, it’s the now," he says. Plus, he believes "we’re the best BID in the business; NoMa speaks for itself." Albert lives in Southeast Washington with his 2-year-old daughter Nevaeh. Read Albert’s eloquent quote from a 2009 Washington Examiner story about NoMa.

Further securing NoMa’s status as one of the greenest neighborhoods in Washington, DC, Union Square’s twin office buildings on North Capitol Street have achieved LEED Certification for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) at the Silver Level. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program rates buildings and neighborhoods on energy efficiency, sustainable design, transit access and other benchmarks with the goal of reducing their environmental impact. Nine buildings or projects in NoMa are LEED Certified, including four at the Gold level and one at the Platinum level - the highest level achievable. Future plans project dozens of sustainably designed buildings in NoMa.

Both 899 and 999 North Capitol Street underwent a two-year certification process to update the lighting, plumbing and cooling systems for optimal energy efficiency. These certifications, which address health issues such as indoor air quality and daylighting, are particularly appropriate for the DC Department of Health, which recently signed a lease for 150,000 SF in 899 North Capitol Street. Union Square is managed by real estate services firm Akridge and owned by CIM Group.

More than 300 people attended NoMa Summer Screen each week for The Future is Now, a 12-week free film festival showing classics like Back to the Future and Groundhog Day. Check out our video to see what you missed, and stay tuned for our fall announcement of next year’s theme!

Building upon our tremendous success with NoMa Summer Screen, the NoMa Business Improvement District and Moonflicks Outdoor Movies sponsored a free movie night for neighborhood children on August 3, to support PSA 101 and the Metropolitan Police Department’s annual National Night Out event. The feature film, Hook, attracted more than 50 children in the Sursum Corda neighborhood for an enjoyable midsummer evening. This portion of National Night Out was led by PSA 101’s Lieutenant James Dykes with additional support from the NoMa BID Clean Team. Special thanks to ANC Commissioner Mark Dixon and NoMa BID Operations Director Merrit Drucker for making this event happen! NoMa BID works with Moonflicks Outdoor Movies for our popular NoMa Summer Screen event.

Calling all yogis! NoMa BID is considering outdoor yoga classes this fall. Please fill out this brief survey. Stay tuned for more information.

The NoMa BID is a nonprofit funded by assessments on properties within our boundaries. BID members will receive their BID tax bills next week, and taxes are due October 1. These assessments go to a variety of events and initiatives, such as the popular Rhythm in NoMa concert series and our free 12-week movie festival, NoMa Summer Screen. Beautification is also a major priority in the BID: our team has planted 4,800 daffodils and 92 trees, collected 1.3 million pounds of trash, and removed 316 graffiti tags. View our marketing video for more information on the BID. If you have questions about your BID tax bill, please contact Tyler Miller at tmiller@nomabid.org or 202-289-0111.

Join the NoMa Business Improvement District for our annual walking tour with WalkingTown DC, Cultural Tourism’s fall and spring exploration of DC’s culture, neighborhoods and unique stories. NoMa BID Marketing and Events Manager Rachel Davis will take participants on a one-hour tour of the neighborhood, covering a blast of history, Uline Arena, outdoor movies, Harris Teeter, a look at what’s planned, and more about NoMa, DC’s fastest-growing neighborhood. Join us for NoMa: From the Beatles to NPR!

Details: Meet at the New York Avenue Metro station at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 25. The tour ends at 11:30 a.m. at Union Station. Wear comfortable shoes. The tour covers less than a mile in total distance and is stroller-accessible and dog-friendly. Visit www.CulturalTourismDC.org for additional tour options the weekend of September 25 and 26. Follow Cultural Tourism DC on Facebook and Twitter. Tweet your NoMa tour using hashtag #WTDC (for WalkingTown DC). This year’s tour is sponsored by the Cohen Companies and the Loree Grand at Union Place.

The Loree Grand at Union Place at 250 K Street, NE, began leasing on June 1, and the first residents have already moved into this 212-unit apartment community, including 30 artist housing units. Property Manager Kristi Sherman is fluent in American Sign Language, so the Loree Grand offers apartment tours in ASL. Contact Bozzuto at 202-698-0801 or visit the website at www.loreegranddc.com for more information.

Interested in the artist housing units? Cultural Development Corporation is currently accepting applications from artists, arts educators, arts administrators and their families for live/work apartments. Applications, rent schedule, FAQ, virtual tours and more can be found at www.culturaldc.org.

NoMa: From the Beatles to NPR
A WalkingTown DC Tour led by the NoMa BID
Saturday, September 25, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

National Postal Museum
Calendar of Events

Northwest One Library
Check www.dclibrary.org/northwest for library news and events.

Fall into Yoga this September
Calling all yogis! NoMa BID is considering outdoor yoga classes this fall. Please fill out this brief survey. Stay tuned for more information.

Sign up for Capitol Bike Share
Capital Bike Share has announced the locations for their bike share stations throughout the District, with two stations planned for NoMa. Sign up for an annual membership today.

DCBIA Community Improvement Day
Join DCBIA for a Community Improvement Day along the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The event will take place on Saturday, October 2 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Rhode Island Avenue and Franklin Streets, NE. You’ll have a chance to spruce up the trail, with planting, landscaping, general clean-up and seating installation. For more information, call DCBIA at 202-966-8665 or visit http://www.dcbia.org/event_community.html".

DC Slices
DC Slices stops by 25 Massachusetts Avenue every Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m. Drop by for a piece of pie, and follow them on Twitter!

Metropolitan Branch Trail Connections:
Every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. a group gathers to walk, run and bike the Met Branch Trail. Join your neighbors at the Edgewood Recreation Center at 3rd and Evarts Streets, NE and check out the new trail running through NoMa. You can find out more about the Met Branch Trail through their website www.metbranchtrail.com or join their new list serv organized by the Rails to Trails Conservancy: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/metbranchtrail/

Happy Hour at Union Station
Check out the specials at America Restaurant at Union Station. Happy hour is only at the bar, Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: $3 rail drinks, $5 martini of the day, and more!

The NoMa BID is on Facebook! Become a fan.