Opera Ultra Lounge (1400 I Street), Downtown’s mega modern nightspot, opened its doors to the DowntownDC BID’s Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAMs) employees this month. The SAM team gathered there for the October SAM of the Month meeting sans the DJ, throbbing lights and Jennifer Hudson—yes, we couldn’t resist mentioning the gifted singer/actress, who celebrated her 30th birthday at the lounge last year, just days after it officially opened.
Rafi Dajani, the club’s VIP manager, was delighted to learn more about the SAMs, who are in part roving concierges, law enforcement aides and goodwill ambassadors. They create a safe and welcoming environment in Downtown seven days a week, nearly 365 days a year.
To keep the SAMs informed, two BID staffers—Alissa Greer, the special events manager, and Kenneth Gregory, a Public Space Management program specialist—spoke at the meeting. Greer shared information about A Taste of Art All Night, the BID-produced arts celebration that took Downtown by storm from 7:00 pm to 3:00 am on Saturday, October 20th. Gregory noted that the BID’s Quarterly Homeless Count would be conducted on Monday, October 22nd. He also solicited volunteers and thanked a part of the SAM corps known as the Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST) for its effort identifying and engaging homeless individuals with psychological and addiction problems.
The SAMs played a Downtown trivia game to test their knowledge of historic sites as well as popular attractions and destinations. Who knew, for example, what Downtown theater opened in 1835? Answer: The National Theatre (1321 Pennsylvania Avenue), one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the nation.
Later, two SAMs who exhibited dedication to excellence and hard work were recognized as the August SAMs of the Month. They are Safety/Hospitality Team Member Claudell Epps and Maintenance Team Member Julio Mendez.
Claudell Epps is a three-time SAM of the Month employee. No surprise there. After 12 years on the job, she knows what it takes to offer stellar customer service. The former video store manager enjoys talking with the diverse group of workers, visitors and residents who make their way through the DowntownDC BID area everyday. Epps has an adult son and spends her free time roller skating.
Julio Mendez is another three-time SAM of the Month employee. Born in El Salvador, he has lived in the U.S. for the past 16 years and has been a SAM for six-and-a-half years. A hardworking, dedicated employee, Mendez once worked as a maintenance crew member at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport—so he knows what it takes to keep vast amounts of space clean! Mendez is a big soccer fan and enjoys watching a good game and socializing with his friends.
Congratulations, Claudell and Julio.