Ria Radio

These days, the library is more than just a place to check out a good book. Richard Reyes-Gavilan is the Director of the DC Public Library, and he stops by to talk about the many ways the DC libraries are anchors in their neighborhoods, as well as the many resources available at the libraries. It's truly amazing! Tune in to find out about the 3D printers, software training, and more.

Israel Baptist Church has built a spectacular new addition to their facility, to meet growing needs within the community for event space and childcare. Matthew Phillips and Sylvia Reed talk with Michelle about their exciting new space, the daycare services, and the full service health care center, as well as their senior housing facility.

Creative placemaking is the practice of partnering public, private, nonprofit, and community groups to form and implement a strategy to transform a neighborhood, and it is a concept that is being embraced across the country. We visit with Steven Thompson of the Van Alen Institute (www.vanalen.org), as well as Natalie Campbell and Jose Ruiz of the Furthermore Artist Collective (furthermorellc.com) about their joint project with the DC Office of Planning. Tune in to hear more about their innovative project to link communities to their own unique sounds.

Scott Magnuson of iMagine Insurance (www.imagineinsurancedc.com) joins us to talk about insurance for small businesses. Your business is unique, and may need special coverage, or it may need updating along as your business grows. "Under-insured" might mean the end of your business dreams,should disaster strike. In the second half of the show, Tamara Robinson of the DC Board of Elections (www.dcboee.org) calls in to talk about voter registration, absentee voting, early voting, and how to handle special voting situations here in the District of Columbia. DC Board of Elections will be joining us at Fall Fest on Oct 1 for voter registration, so stop by and make sure you are all set to vote on November 8!

Michaela Brown-Jones, the energetic force and founder of The P Spot (www.bringitupsexy.com) stops by to talk about her special brand of fitness for women. Her classes include "Pole Fitness", "Strip Aerobics" (minus the naked part!), and "Sensual Stretch" - all designed to provide a "sexy" alternative to traditional group fitness classes, and suited for all levels of fitness. Then we're joined by Nate Blodgett, co-founder of District Spice (www.districtspice.com). After getting off to a tremendous start in Union Kitchen, District Spice is now creating their unique and delicious spice blends here on RIA Main Street. Tune in now - bonus content for listeners with smell-o-vision reception on their devices!

In this special episode, we talk to Carlos Davis, president of the Woodridge South Community Association, about the roles that Civic and Community Associations play in your neighborhood. Hint: Businesses are neighbors, too! In fact, Civic and Community Associations are often the first stop in special permitting requests for small businesses, particularly for restaurants that will be pursuing permits for beer and wine sales. Tune in to find out more about how to get involved with your neighborhood community organizations.

District Dance Arts (www.districtdancearts.com) is expanding! A new (2nd!) location, new instructors, and even more classes offered. Did we mention Zumba? Founder and teacher Cristine Davis joins us to talk about the growth of District Dance Arts. Next, Darryl Maxwell of DC Bar stops by to talk about the new overtime rules for exempt employees, and how they impact your small business. And of course, Philip from Good Food Markets calls in with the Good Food Markets report. Listen now!

t's that time of year again - the fast growing DC State Fair is just around the corner, on Sunday, August 28th! One of the organizers (and Ward 5 neighbor) Kish Rusek joins us to talk about the event's history, the competition categories, and more. Visit www.dcstatefair.org for details. Then we're joined by DC Water's Bill Levy and Joan Ward to discuss the Northeast Boundary Tunnel Project. In addition to talking about the need for this massive project, Bill and Joan share important construction news and timelines for residents and business owners along the RIA Main Street corridor. As always, Philip calls in with the Good Food Markets report - fall produce is starting to make its way to the area. Tune in to find out more!

In addition to the Good Food Markets report, and LOTS of news about upcoming activities (hint: Pokemon!) on RIA Main Street, we're joined by DeAndrey Howard, creative genius behind Alice's Jazz and Cultural Society. The newest hotspot for authentic jazz, located at 2813 12th St NE, is getting great reviews. Tune in to hear DeAndrey share the vision behind the club, then stop in and visit them. More details at their website, www.jazzandculturalsociety.com

For neighborhood favorite, Zeke's Coffee, there have been a lot of changes in the last year! Owner John Kepner stops by to talk about their new roaster, nitro cold brew, and some very special beans. Philip from Good Food Markets calls in with the market report and ways to stay cool during this blistering hot week. Next, we're joined by Frank Clark and Willie Brennan to discuss ways to literally put your business on the map. Google maps, that is! The Google 360 program provides your prospective customers with an actual virtual tour INSIDE your business - and that's just the start. Tune in to find out how to take full advantage of this great program.

Thomas Vadrody of Annie's Ace Hardware joins us to talk about their newest location in Brookland on 8th Street NE. This locally-owned resource features many familiar faces - tune in to learn why! Then new Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF) director, Harold Pettigrew, joins us to talk about the small business resources and financing options that WACIF provides to area entrepreneurs. Philip from Good Food Markets calls in with the latest updates - including some food and beverage options to keep you cool during these hot hot summer days!

July marks the beginning of a new fiscal quarter, so Sherrell Martin of Nitram Financial Solutions is on hand to give us a check list of financial management tasks you need to do to make sure your business in on track for a great year. Then we're joined by Morgan West of Made In DC and Raj Aggarwal or Think Local First DC, to talk about the burgeoning creative movement in DC, and how it is changing the face of DC's local economy. Then Philip from Good Food Markets talks to us about the latest produce in the market (hint: think fruity tropical ways to cool off). Tune in now!

Tom Bridge, co-founder of Technolutionary, LLC (www.technolutionary.com) joins us to talk about IT infrastructure needs for small businesses. They provide technology support services throught the DMV region to a wide variety of clients from single person offices, to large office buildings, restaurants, schools, training facilities, and more. Then we're joined by the SB Works team (www.sbworksdc.org), a new addition to RIA Main Street corridor. They are currently offering a variety of technical assistance opportunities for small businesses throughout the DC area, and will soon be opening co-working space at 2316 Rhode Island Ave NE. And of course, Philip calls in to give us the latest Good Food Markets update

No guests this week because there's so much news to share! Tune in for information and updates that RIA Main Street businesses need to know.

Doreen Hope from Washington Gas joins us to talk about some of the impending major work scheduled for parts of Rhode Island Avenue NE. Then we're joined by Ward 5's own Tiffany Bridge, of Baxendell Bridge LLC. We'll be talking about some of the "must have" web site information that ALL businesses should have in order to compete in a modern economy. Philip calls in to give us the latest Good Food Markets update, and the UpRising Festival is just around the corner! Listen in - we'll get you all caught up.

Michael Meers from Mid-City Financial stops by to talk about the renovation of Brookland Manor into RIA-DC - one of the largest mixed used developments scheduled for construction in DC. Ron Dixon, the creative genius behind Studio 202 and BLIS.fm stops by to talk about some of his plans for a training program for DC youth to prepare for careers in the video tech industry. Ron is also teaming up with us to bring some unique products to small business support in Ward 5 and the entire DC area. As always, Philip from Good Food Markets joins us to talk about what's new and fresh at the market. Tune in to learn more!

Philip from Good Food Markets calls in with our weekly market update - what's new, fresh, delicious, and available at Good Food Markets. Then we're joined by Molly Woods and Trever Webster from the newest business in the area, Artist & Craftsman. They carry an extensive selection of art supplies, including special order options for those hard-to-find items. Listen to their story, then visit their employee-owned store at 1201 Brentwood Road NE (behind Home Depot).

Sherrell Martin, the Chief Financial Solutions Officer and founder of Nitram Financial Solutions, joins us to talk about some quarterly financial responsibilities for businesses. Whether it is taxes, payroll obligations, or simply analyzing your business performance, every business owner has "must-do" tasks they must keep up with to insure the financial (and legal!) health of their business. Tune in to hear Sherrell's take on the most important steps you might be missing to make sure your business continues to grow.

Darryl Dudley and the B Sharp Music Academy team has been teaching music lessons to students of all ages for years. Piano, guitar, voice, and more - with lessons taught in a way that makes learning music fun! Then Philip from Good Food Markets gives us the weekly market update - lots of healthy foods educational events are coming up, and we get an update on some new plans for the store.

Danita Doleman of SEAS Community Partners has helped small businesses in DC through a variety of services, including over 20 successful Great Streets grant applications! Danita talks about the keys to a winning Great Streets grant application and how to prepare for the next round of grants. Philip catches us up on what's happening at Good Food Markets. Next, June Mines of These Eyes of Mines talks about her boutique eye wear business, featuring one of a kind frames, coming soon to RIA Main Street!