Love Local, Shop Local in Van Ness, Wakefield & Forest Hills

Find the perfect bottle of bubbly, sweet treats, a relaxing mani-pedi, gift cards galore and creative dining experiences to make your day special. Gift your favorite Valentine or gift yourself, either way, you'll find everything you need to make your celebration special here in Van Ness, Forest Hills and Wakefield! 

Shop the Guide, here.

It's Happening!!! Call Your Mother is officially open in Forest Hills!

Call Your Mother deli officially opened its doors this morning in Forest Hills and we can't think of a better way to begin this fine Friday! Find CYM in the former Little Red Fox location at 5035 Connecticut Avenue. They'll be open every day, 7 AM - 4 PM.

VNMS and Kathy Sykes are pleased to launch the 2023 Spring Pollinator Planting program - join us!

We are pleased to launch our Spring Pollinator Planting season fundraising to support our Master Gardener and Master Naturalist Kathy Sykes and local volunteers as we plant seeds that will blossom into colorful wildflowers, perennials, annuals, and milkweed to attract pollinating bees, birds, and butterflies - even Monarchs!

Help us bring some color to the corridor and the small businesses along Connecticut Avenue between Van Ness Street and Nebraska Avenue by making a generous donation that will specifically go to this program. Click here to make a secure donation today! Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for one (or more!) of our 2023 planting events below. Plantings will take place along Connecticut Ave in Van Ness, Forest Hills, and Wakefield. (Exact meeting locations will be announced in late February).

• March 25, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• April 1, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• April 8, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• April 15, Saturday,1-3 PM
• May 6, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• May 7, Sunday, 1-3 PM  
• May 13, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• May 14, Sunday, 1-3 PM
• May 20, Saturday, 1-3 PM
• May 21, Sunday, 1-3 PM

SIGN UP: Please contact Kathy directly with your available dates along with your cell phone number in case of cancellation due to weather. Kathy will provide the day's exact planting location closer to the time. Please include 'Pollinator Planting' in the message line and send an email to SykesKathy@yahoo.com.

Van Ness Main Street is proud to have partnered with Kathy Sykes over the last 5 years to bring beauty and sustainability to our corridor. Your participation and contributions help to keep this program going. Click below to make a secure contribution to Kathy's efforts and help make our 2023 program the best one yet!

Join the VNMS Volunteer team for a fun, creative, and rewarding experience in 2023!

Van Ness Main Street has a full calendar of events and activities planned for 2023, designed to highlight our small businesses, attract visitors to our corridor and serve our community. Flexible volunteer opportunities are available so getting involved is easy!

Whether you have a few hours or a few days out of the year to give, your time and participation are greatly appreciated. Here's a peek at some of what's coming up in 2023:

- Pollinator Planting along Connecticut Ave (March-May)

- Movie Night in the Park at the UDC Amphitheater (June/July)

- Art All Night (Sept)

- Spooktacular (Oct)

- 8th Annual Holiday Pop-Up (Dec)

Individuals, students, and groups are encouraged to fill out a brief volunteer form indicating their interest. Click here for the form and thank you!

ANC 3F Safety Walk, Tuesday, February 7th at 10 am

Van Ness, Wakefield and Forest Hills neighbors, please join the Commissioners of ANC 3F for a public safety walk with representatives from the MPD 2nd District along with representatives from the Mayor's office and CM Frumin's office this Tuesday, February 7th. Attendees will meet at 10 AM, outside at the UDC Student Center (4200 Connecticut Ave.) where the group will proceed to walk north along Connecticut Avenue to Fessenden Street.