The DowntownDC Business Improvement District’s (BID) red-uniformed Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) employees were hosted by the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (600 I Street NW) for the SAMs’ final monthly meeting of 2015, where they discussed holiday planning and celebrated two SAMs-of-the-Month.
The Sixth & I Synagogue was originally completed in 1908. Since that time, the building has undergone numerous transformations, from a conservative synagogue in 1908 to an African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1951 and nearly a nightclub in 2002.
Today Sixth & I celebrates intersections—the unexpected places where Jewish and secular culture meet. Since 2004, with a radically welcoming and pluralistic approach, Sixth & I has redefined the 21st-century synagogue and community space with impactful, entertaining, and thought-provoking programs spanning Jewish and cultural traditions.
Timely and provocative events with authors, musicians, politicians, comedians, filmmakers, journalists, actors, chefs, and other visionaries allow the community to plug in to what’s happening at the forefront of arts and culture.With a multi-denominational and non-membership approach, identity and community intersect on your terms for a uniquely Jewish experience.
[Visit Sixth & I’s online calendar for updated event information.]
At their final meeting of the year, the SAMs, who maintain and beautify the streets of Downtown as well as serve as on-the-street concierges, heard from Maintenance Services Manager Ronald E. Jones. Jones thanked the SAM maintenance team for their hard work and due diligence in tackling the tremendous task of leaf removal removal this fall, which presents an arduous situation for everyone each fall.
Jones also relayed the many favorable comments he received regarding SAM support for the Downtown Holiday Market, which is presented by the DowntownDC BID and operated by Diverse Markets Management each holiday season in front of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. SAMS assisted with setup and breakdown, provided on-the-street information to market-goers each day and assisted with security for the market, which ran from Nov. 28-Dec. 23 this year.
Director of Operations Everett D. E. Scruggs also shared several letters of appreciation the BID recently received commending the notable work of Safety/Hospitality SAMs Linda Jeter, Jeremiah DeSousa, Brenda Holmes and Montee “Angel” Saunders.
Each month, two SAMs are recognized as SAMs-of-the-Month for their outstanding service. The winners for November were Safety/Hospitality SAM Tyrell Thomas and Maintenance SAM Michael Winder.
Tyrell Thomas has been with the BID since Feb. 2015. This is his first win as employee of the month. Thomas said that on the job, he enjoys interacting with people and seeing something different everyday. A native Washingtonian, Thomas enjoys traveling and said his favorite destination is Miami.
Michael Winder has been with the BID for nearly five years and said he likes the constant movement of the job. He added that he never knows what he’s going to see Downtown that day. Originally from Richmond, Winder said he enjoys movies, music, cooking and baking in his free time.