Ever Grateful This Autumn
By J. Daniel Geddis, President Mission Hills BID and Realtor Team D&B at One Mission Realty
I am writing while enjoying a cool San Diego autumn evening and reflecting on how quickly this year has passed. With Thanksgiving occurring in November, the month is a time of gratitude and there is much to be grateful for as we look back on the year. As the BID’s October column went to print, we were rallying to add taste venues and bridge the gap created by the closing of Patio on Goldfinch and Patio Express. With support from Falcon Liquor owner Saad Zetouna, the team at Babe Kombucha offered tastes outside Zetouna’s store. And, the Trust Restaurant Group team exceeded expectation by being on-site at 4033 Goldfinch Street to share sweet baked tastes and architectural renderings of their soon-to-be-restaurant, bakery, ice cream and retail wine shop, Cardellino. We are grateful to you tasters and taste servers for making this year’s event the most vibrant ever. If you are reading this and realize you missed this year’s event or want to enjoy the evening all over again, please visit MissionHillsBID.com/taste-mission-hills-2019/.
It has been a pleasure serving as the elected president of the Mission Hills BID, representing some 500 small businesses. I am pleased with the BID’s many accomplishments in 2019. Together, with a dedicated board of seven and our Executive Director and supportive business owners and residents, I have a story to share that includes a couple “firsts”.
The “firsts” began with generous grant support from the City of San Diego and the County of San Diego helping the BID launch its first Colors on Canvas Banner Art Contest. Additional support came from the Grant School Foundation, Paint Box Art Studio, and local families. This contest attracted more than 70 completed one-of-a-kind hand painted banners. Spearheading the contest were local art teachers Sarah Ekedal from Grant School, Jaimee Brant from Paint Box Art Studio, and The Moll Family who organized Francis Parker Middle School student participants. In May, the banners were installed on lamp posts throughout Mission Hills. In June an awards reception was held at The Frame Maker, 3102 Reynard Way. There were thirteen winners and a grand prize winner. The grand prize of five hundred dollars was provided by Patterson Engineering, Inc and awarded to six year-old Ise Biezunski, an afterschool enrichment program student at Paint Box Art Studio. The remaining contest banners have been repurposed as “hand painted with love by Mission Hills children” tote bags. If you are interested in purchasing a tote bag for yourself or as a gift, contact MissionHillsBID@gmail.com to arrange a viewing. Another first was the BID’s Shop Small Gingerbread Shoppe appearing on the front cover of American Express’s Small Business Saturday publication. The Shop Small Gingerbread Shoppe was created by local baker Jennifer Duncan and her team at Cake – Your Local Bakery at 3085 Reynard Way.
This year, on Saturday, November 30, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., we at the BID invite you to join us in celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Small Business Saturday in the parking lot of Canale Communications, 4010 Goldfinch Street, as we partner again with American Express to create a life-sized Shop Small WinterSleigh installation. The sleigh is planned to be large enough to hold a family of four and it will offer an excellent opportunity to capture holiday photos. The sleigh will be created by David and Jennifer Duncan. Accompanying the sleigh will be ornament painting and decorating stations for family members of all ages. Ms. Ekedal and Ms. Brant and their helpers will supervise the stations.
Please mark your calendars and join me at the BID’s Annual Meeting and Mixer on Wednesday November6th in the patio at Farmer’s Bottega, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m. In addition to the normal business of the BID, directors and officers will be elected. If you pay a business license fee in our BID, you are eligible to vote. Thanks to the generosity of our hosts, Alberto and Michelle Morreale and restaurant manager Fernando Tovar-Robles, delicious Farmer’s Bottega offerings will be served during the Mixer that will start at 5:30 p.m. And, because of the kindness of Mission Hills’ retailers, raffle prizes will be bountiful.
Assemblymember Todd Gloria has confirmed he will be our special guest speaker. We hear he’s running for mayor. Councilmember Chris Ward has confirmed he will join us as soon as his council meeting ends. We hear he is running for a seat in the California State Assembly. Our meeting and mixer settings provide an ideal situation for all of us to share our concerns with our elected representatives.
November is a busy month for our community of residents and businesses. Whether you are a Thanksgiving holiday guest or host, please do remember the fine items available at our local retailers. From prime and organic to farm fresh and delicious, every culinary item you could wish for a lovely holiday weekend of meals is available right here in Mission Hills. If you are a guest, there is no better neighborhood of shops in which to find a special and unique hostess gift in every price range. If you need a rest from meal preparations, enjoy a meal at one of our local Mission Hills restaurants.
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. They add unique character, enliven our neighborhood, and I am grateful to be part of such a community. This holiday season please support small businesses in Mission Hills with your shopping dollars. Each of us can make a big difference in keeping our local businesses successful by choosing to dine local, shop local and keep our precious financial resources local.
I wish you and yours an abundant Thanksgiving.
Category: Business, Education, Local News, Other
