In this issue...
River District Merchant Updates, River District Scavenger Hunt, New Address for RDA Office, Downtown in the News, Downtown Events
For River District Merchants...Food Photography, Main Street Now Conference, Backing Historic Small Restaurants, Sign up for Distrx, Changes to the Paycheck Protection Program
|
|
River District Merchant Updates |
|
Now at 530 Main Street, Suite 207
|
|
|
|
Help us find some shy otters in the River District! |
|
|
|
You Otter be in the River District!
|
This fun interactive Scavenger Hunt will be LIVE on the Distrx App, March 6th from 10am-12pm, so DOWNLOAD the App and head down to the River District. Have some fun and win prizes!
|
|
|
River District Association (RDA) is excited to announce the launch of the River District Downtown App, Distrx, with a with a scavenger hunt “apptivity” for the community, “You Otter be in the River District.” The scavenger hunt will be live on March 6th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There are 11 stuffed otters hiding around the River District. Participants need to solve clues and explore downtown to figure out where the otters are hiding.
To participate, download the Distrx app, choose The River District as your district, and then click on the “contest” section to start the hunt! This is a great COVID-19-friendly family activity that can be done outside.
Everyone who participates in the scavenger hunt can stop by the River District Association office when they are finished (208 N. Union Street) to get a bag of popcorn, a gift bag and be entered to win fun Danville themed prizes. The prizes are as follows:
-
Grand prize: One gift basket of Danville themed items (total value $100)
-
Second Prize: Three gift bags with a HOME T-shirt, baseball cap, cup, mask, and a copy of the Dan River Twins book
-
Third Prize: Six prizes of a copy of the Dan River Twins book
See you on March 6th!
|
|
|
|
New address for River District Association office. |
We have moved to 208 N. Union Street, Suite 101
Our phone number will remain the same at 434-791-0210, however it may be out of commission for a few weeks while it is transferred to the new building.
If you need to get in touch, email [email protected] and we will get in touch as soon as possible.
|
|
|
|
River District in the News |
|
|
|
Danville's downtown murals a living history lesson, River District director says |
|
|
|
|
|
Bike share program returns to Danville - WFXR |
|
|
|
Photo credit: Danville Museum of Fine Art and History |
|
Danville museum seeks volunteers to yarn bomb the Riverwalk with color and hope |
|
|
|
|
|
An App For The River District Visitor To Navigate - WDBJ7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Danville's River District Association to launch Distrx Mobile App - WFXR |
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile App Coming for the River District - www.danville-va.gov |
|
|
|
|
|
Danville's River District to launch mobile app in March - Chatham Star Tribune |
|
|
|
Danville Public Library March Events
|
|
Lego Brick Engineers: March 1st
Ghostbusters Trivia Night: March 3rd, 5:30 p.m.
Mad Scientists: March 4th, 5:30 p.m.
The Write Stuff: March 4th, 6 p.m.
Pro-craft-inators: March 8th, 6 p.m.
Teen Craft Night: March 10th, 5:30 p.m.
Bookworms: Tween Book Club: March 11th, 5 p.m.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Library: March 11th, 5:30 p.m.
Teen Takeover: March 12th, 5:30 p.m.
How to Catch a Leprachaun: March 16th, 5:30 p.m.
St. Paddy's Day Crafts: March 17th, 5:30 p.m.
|
|
Dumbledore's Army: March 18th, 5:30 p.m.
Grimm Reader's Book Club: March 18th, 6 p.m.
Fandom Forum - Star Trek: March 22nd, 6 p.m.
Tree House Tuesday: March 23rd, 5:30 p.m.
Preschool Picassos: March 25th, 5 p.m.
Dungeons and Dragons for Adults: March 25th, 5:30 p.m.
Unrequired Reading - Classics Book Club: March 29th, 6 p.m.
Library Scouts: March 30th, 4:30 p.m.
Drawing Baby Animals: March 30th, 5 p.m.
|
|
Join us for our second virtual tasting and Q&A of 2021! Irish Ale, Norse IPA, and Strawberry Cream ale are on the menu. All three are available in our taproom and in distribution throughout the Commonwealth of VA. Jason Vater, our Cellerman and Packaging Supervisor, will be leading the tasting. |
|
|
Join us for the launch of the River District Downtown App, Distrx, with a with a scavenger hunt “apptivity” for the community, “You Otter be in the River District.” The “apptivity” will be live on March 6th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There are 10 stuffed otters hiding around the River District. Participants need to solve clues and explore downtown to figure out where the otters are hiding. |
|
|
Martinsville glass artisan Aleen Wilson will teach the art of cutting glass and showing everyone how to create a fused glass dish. All supplies are provided for $55 fee. Minimum of 3 and maximum of 10 students allowed in class. Children age 10+ may attend with prior approval. After the class Aleen will take all creations back to Martinsville to fire in her kiln. She will return all finished products to Main Street Art Collective on Saturday, March 27. Students should pick up their pieces Tues-Fri 10-6 or Sat 10-5. |
|
|
We're celebrating with our Irish ale (on draft and 16 oz cans!) and annual GREEN PILSNER! Stop in and enjoy a pint, or use our curbside delivery and bring home a some festive growlers and cans for your circle to share! Sláinte! |
|
|
Melissa Dalton, owner of Nifty Crafts & More will lead everyone in painting a pretty Spring picture. You will be able to change the flower and bird colors if you choose to. All supplies are provide in $35 fee. Please wear appropriate clothing because acrylic paint does not always wash out of clothing. This class is for adults unless prior approval is obtained for a child. |
|
|
Intro to Photography, Von Wellington Photography and Film Group, Online, March 20th, 2 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. |
Intro to Photography is a beginners and intermediate online course for new photographers. This course will cover the fundamentals of how to properly use a DSLR and mirror less camera. |
|
|
Josh Solo at Golden Leaf Bistro, March 20th, 6:30 p.m. |
|
|
For The River District Merchant Community |
|
|
|
Tips for Better Food Photography, March 8th 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. |
Want to take your restaurant or business’ food photography to the next level? Join us for a discussion with Lisa Cherkasky, a professional food stylist, for practical tips and tricks to make your food photos look amazing!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Street Now Conference Free Small Business Day |
Small Business Day, held on Tuesday, April 13, will provide attendees with guidance and actionable insight to help entrepreneurs move forward in our continuously changing commerce landscape. Small Business Day attendees will have access to sessions ranging from live, interactive workshops with retail experts and plenaries with thought leaders to a happy hour with fellow entrepreneurs. |
|
|
|
|
|
Backing Historic Small Restaurants - National Trust for Historic Preservation - Ends March 9th, 2021 |
The Backing Historic Small Restaurants program is presented by American Express in partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to award $1 million to 25 historic and culturally significant restaurants in the United States. Preference will be given to businesses owned by underrepresented groups, including People of Color and women, disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Grants and support for these historic small restaurants experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic is intended to help support their recovery and sustain them for the future. |
|
|
|
Sign up for the Distrx App |
|
|
|
SIGN UP INSTRUCTIONS
-
Go to Distrx.com, and click "sign-up" in the upper right corner. Follow the prompts.
- When you have done that you will receive an email asking you to verify your email address.
- Once you've done that, you will receive another email with your username and password.
-
Go again to www.distrx.com and click "login" in the upper right corner.
- Login
- On the left hand toolbar you will see "business info" just enter all the fields and save, and you will be ready to go! Be sure to choose a business category and upload a photo.
- To change your password go to the upper right corner and click profile.
|
|
Need assistance signing-up?
(please note that RDA is moving offices soon, and phone service may be temporarily interrupted. If you are unable to get through, email and we will call back)
|
|
For additional information you can also watch an orientation zoom call with the Distrx developer. See video link below. |
|
|
|
Tell Congress to Support Main Street |
Main Street America is seeking support for a $100 million dollar competitive grant program to support coordinating programs, local programs and Main Street businesses. Complete this form to send a letter to your representatives in the House and Senate and speak up for Main Street. |
|
|
White House announces changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) |
The White House has announced improvements to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) today to ensure the loan program better reaches the smallest businesses and those owned by people of color and particularly those who struggled to access it during the first rounds of funding last year. Please read below for a list of key changes that are being implemented to the program to see if it might benefit you and your business.
The Administration is implementing the following changes to PPP:
- Instituting a special 14-day application period, starting this Wednesday (2/24/21), during which only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for PPP.
- Revising and amending the PPP loan calculation formula for sole-proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed applicants to ensure they receive more relief, and establish a $1 billion set aside for businesses in this category without employees, located in low to moderate-income areas.
- Expanding PPP eligibility to small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions who were previously ineligible to apply.
- Allowing firm owners who are delinquent on their federal student loans to apply for PPP.
- Expanding PPP eligibility to non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) to apply for relief.
Will these new changes to eligibility enable you to apply or re-apply for PPP? We want to hear from you to help share stories about how these improvements will impact the small business community.
|
|
|
What is the River District Association? |
|
|
|
Do you want to be a part of a thriving River District? RDA takes Board of Directors applications all year long. Fill out an interest form to be considered for the next board opening!
|
|
Mission:
RDA's mission is to ensure the long term viability of Danville's River District as a center of business and civic life, and a source of community pride.
Vision:
Danville's River District will be a vibrant place to live, work, and visit for the diverse population of Danville and the greater Dan River region.
Board of Directors:
William Crumpton
Caswell Family Medical Center
President
Kelvin Perry
CoD Economic Development
Vice President
Steven Osborne
Adams and Fisk, PLC
Secretary
TBD
Treasurer
Rachel Covington
Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce
Past President
Robin Jones
Vintages by the Dan
Philip Hayes
Noblis
Christy Harper
Danielle DuCré
Chatham Hall
Varun Sadana
The Launch Place
Stuart Smith
FCS, Inc.
Hampton Wilkins
Wilkins and Co.
Andrew Herring
West Main Baptist Church
Emma Sellers
Averett University
Shani Gaylord
PATHS, Inc.
|
|
Who We Are
The River District Association (RDA) is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors which includes representatives from River District businesses and property owners, the City of Danville, and other community stakeholders.
What We Do
RDA follows the Main Street model to coordinate the public-private partnerships required to revive the River District. We work with the City of Danville, area businesses, and institutions to develop programs and events to get the community working together to market the area's unique assets, to get the district in top physical shape, and to attract and retain businesses.
Why We Do It
As our City Council and City Manager have publicly stated, the economic health of the city is impacted by the River District. A downtown with empty buildings and blight conveys a negative image. A prosperous downtown tells the world that the business sector can work well with the City to bring about positive change. With a number of development projects taking place, the River District has reclaimed its role as a vital, important and pleasant place to work, shop, and have fun.
When We Meet
The RDA Board of Directors meets the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 in the evening. For more information about these meetings, or to seek assistance with a matter, please call or email RDA's office or contact any Board member.
What You Can Do
We need YOU! Would like to play an active role in the revival of the River District? Do you have any special ideas or talents, or simply want to volunteer with a project, please contact us by phone at 434-791-0210 or by email. One of our dedicated volunteer board members will respond.
River District Association Staff
Diana Schwartz: Executive Director
Kirsten Aherron: Communication and Events Manager
|
|
River District Association | www.riverdistrictassociation.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
