The DowntownDC BID’s Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs) were happy to visit the National Aquarium (1400 Constitution Avenue) for their September SAM of the Month meeting.
The reason is twofold:
- The aquarium has been a generous host to the SAMs in the past.
- Sadly, the nation’s first public aquarium will close its doors on Sept. 30 because of ongoing renovations to the Herbert C. Hoover Building, which houses the U.S. Commerce Department where the National Aquarium resides.
In 1873, our little Downtown treasure got its start in Woods Hole, the oceanographic research institution in Massachusetts. Five years later, it moved to D.C. and has been in the lower level of the Hoover Building since 1932.
Emma Connor, the Aquarium’s marketing manager, told the SAMs that the Aquarium has more than 2,500 animals, and finding homes for all of them—including alligators, sharks and loggerhead sea turtles—is the aquatic museum’s first priority. The National Aquarium in Baltimore anticipates taking 1,700 of these D.C. “residents,” whose move beyond the Commerce’s doors will begin on Oct. 1 and continue over several weeks.
Meanwhile, visitors to the Downtown D.C. aquarium between now and Sept. 30 will get discounts to the Baltimore venue for visits made by Dec. 24 (some restrictions and blackout dates will apply). In addition, the National Aquarium Board is actively exploring opportunities and funding options that will allow the aquatic museum to return to D.C.
Connor thanked the SAMs for their assistance, especially when she began working at the Aquarium two-and-a-half-years-ago and couldn’t make her way around Downtown. “A SAM actually helped me out when I was completely turned around and lost trying to walk to an offsite meeting,” she said. “I will never forget his graciousness. I really think he embodies the values of the SAM Program.”
For the latest updates on the National Aquarium in D.C.—including animal moves, the closing process and the Aquarium’s future plans here—visit the Aquarium’s website.
Following Connor’s remarks, the meeting concluded with two SAMs being recognized as SAMs of the Month for their stellar performance: SAM Maintenance Team Member Maria Paz Caravante and Safety/Hospitality Team Member Linda Jeter.
Maria Caravante has been a SAM for four years. Born in El Salvador, she now lives in Maryland and has resided in the U.S. for 30 years. Described by SAM Program management as quiet and an all-around good employee, Maria cleaned office buildings before joining the DowntownDC BID. Says she: “I like my work.” She loves her two adult daughters even more, and spends as much free time with them as possible. Her big goal right now: traveling to El Salvador this winter to visit family.
Linda Jeter is a multiple SAM of the Month winner. With the SAM Program since 2006, she is described as an impeccable employee who knows her job well and gives 110 percent, including time working the dispatch desk. The former Wonder Bread sales rep is a native Washingtonian. When she saw the newspaper ad for a SAM years ago, “I knew it was for me,” she said. “I like meeting people and talking with people and helping. I like seeing them leave with a smile.” In her spare time, Jeter enjoys bowling and fishing. She’s also very fond of dogs and once had a Yorkie that she gave away but still visits when her busy schedule allows.
Congratulations to Maria and Linda!