A Time to Count Our Blessings
by Krista Lombardi, President, Mission Hills BID
Lombardi Team at Scott & Quinn Real Estate
John Ealy, Owner of Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar and Red Hot Heroes’ host, with BID President Krista Lombardi and Fire Station 8 Captains Eric Nelson and Paul Moscoso
In Italy the Monday after Easter is known as La Pasquetta. It is a national holiday and part of the Easter holiday celebrations. It is a popular time to spend in the countryside playing egg focused games and picnicking with family and friends. I still have fond memories of La Pasquetta from my years of living in Milan.
Now days, April mostly reminds me of paying taxes. I think about the people I know, and, this time of year everyone seems to be preparing to send their tax payments. Alas, I am an adult and a professional.
As a realtor in Mission Hills I do count my blessings. Our Mission Hills neighborhood has some really cool things about the way it looks and feels. On recent walk-abouts I’ve also heard Mission Hills described as a neighborhood of “urban sophisticates” and a very good choice for active retirees, highly educated executives, and families with school-aged children. And, always mentioned are the fine Mission Hills businesses, which truly stand out as regional destinations for unique goods and services. A neighborhood’s look and feel, when you walk or drive around it, can make a meaningful difference in attracting home-buyers, shoppers, diners, and others who simply want to relax and enjoy lovely surroundings.
April is also the birthday month for Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar. Mission Hills home-owner and business owner John Ealy opened this dining establishment in April 2014 and quickly became active in supporting the Mission Hills Business Improvement District by hosting the BID’s quarterly business-to-business Mixer that June. Each year John Ealy has served on the BID’s Ad Hoc Budget Committee and last month, on March 5, he served as host of the first Red Hot Heroes’ fundraiser to benefit Fire Station 8 and the Mission Hills BID. The event grossed just over $10,000. The net proceeds will be shared evenly between the Fire Station and the BID. A check presentation will be made this month. We are looking toward building on the support from this event to advance the neighborhood’s interests. And, plans for a second annual Red Hot Heroes are underway.
On behalf of the Mission Hills BID and as its president, I want to again thank John Ealy and all who attended this sold-out event. To auction item donors Lakehouse Hotel and Resort, fine art painter Mark Fehlman, Councilmember Chris Ward, Trish Watlington of The Red Door, Fire Station 8, and to auction item highest bidders, thank you for your generosity. And, a special thank you to the firefighters of Fire Station 8 for all they do to serve our community every hour of each day.
As a favor from the publisher this month’s column also features a few photographs from the Red Hot Heroes’ fundraiser. Look closer and you might recognize yourself and others you know. More photos are available at MissionHillsBID.com.
Please consider becoming a BID volunteer. The BID’s committee structure is a great way to impact neighborhood decisions in the areas of Promotions, Economic Development, Design and Parking. To learn more, get involved, and support the Mission Hills Business Improvement District, please visit our website at MissionHillsBID.com or call (619) 559-9502.
Category: Business, Local News
