Honoring Our Heroes
The Mission Hills BID check presentation to Fire Station Eight included (left to right) Firefighters Clint McLaughlin and Chris Valenzuela of Fire Station 8, John Ealy owner of Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar, Krista Lombardi BID board president, Troy Curnett, BID board treasurer, Audrey Patterson BID board aecretary, Captain Eric Nelson of Fire Station 8, Engineer Aurelio Machado of Fire Station 8, and from the San Diego Fire Department, Deputy Fire Chief Steve Ricci, and Battalion Chief Mike McBride.
by Krista Lombardi, President, Mission Hills BID
The weather is sumptuous enough to wear as we begin the month of May in celebration of La Festa del Lavoro; a time to catch up with friends and family, eat, socialize, dance, and, of course, rest. La Festa del Lavoro is celebrated throughout Italy on May first. In America we also honor the struggle of workers on this day. Happy May Day Mission Hills!
May is a favorite month for me. My husband and I chose my parent’s wedding anniversary, May 10, as our wedding date. Again, this year we will be celebrating together at one of our favorite Mission Hills restaurants.
The Mission Hills BID showcases its business district as a unique regional destination for the most selective consumers through its promotions, design, economic development and parking committees. I believe two perfectly designed events that encourage everyone to thoroughly enjoy our lovely neighborhood are the Mission Hills Garden Walk on Saturday, May 13, and Mother’s Day, on Sunday May 14.
The Mission Hills Business Improvement District (BID) is a proud sponsor of this year’s 19th Annual Mission Hills Garden Walk and its partner The Gecko Garden Life Sciences and Health program at Grant K-8 School. We were excited to learn that in addition to being an outdoor laboratory and an integral part of the annual Mission Hills Garden Club tour, the Gecko Garden supplies produce to local businesses for special school fundraising events. Tickets for the Garden Walk are available at Mission Hills Nursery, a longtime Associate Member of the Mission Hills BID, as they are located just outside the BID boundaries at 1525 Ft. Stockton.
We all have a special person in our life who is either a birth mom or someone near and dear who has greatly contributed to our well being. Many of us are lucky enough to have both. Mother’s Day weekend is a perfect time to honor these wonderful individuals. In Mission Hills, remember it is never too early to make reservations for brunch or lunch or dinner. If you have difficulty choosing, reserve for all three meals. There are plenty of delicious mealtime options in our wonderful neighborhood and mothers who deserve to be taken out.
In last month’s column I mentioned Mission Hills resident and business owner John Ealy who hosted the BID’s Red Hot Heroes fundraiser and has been an advisor to the BID since opening Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar in 2014. On April 19, at Fire Station 8, John Ealy joined with me, Troy Curnett, immediate past president and current BID treasurer, and Audrey Patterson, BID secretary, for a check presentation of fifty percent of the Red Hot Heroes fundraising event’s net proceeds to our Mission Hill firefighters. The check was for just over $3,800. The funds will be used to help purchase exercise equipment for the crew at Fire Station 8. Accepting the donation were Captain Eric Nelson, Firefighters Clint McLaughlin and Chris Valenzuela, Engineer Aurelio Machado, as well as Deputy Chief Steve Ricci and Battalion Chief Mike McBride.
Immediately following the check presentation, the Mission Hills BID presented its annual Red Hot Heroes Award to John Ealy in honor of his vision, support, and generosity. Each year in March, the award will be bestowed on someone who has made outstanding contributions to the Mission Hills business community. If you’d like to see the perpetual plaque and personally thank Ealy, stop by Harley Gray at 902 West Washington.
Heroes come in many forms. On May 29 we observe Memorial Day in honor of our armed forces fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Let’s remember their sacrifices for the freedom we enjoy.
Category: Business, Local News
