It’s Summer in the Hills
by Trish Watlington, President, Mission Hills BID
Summer is in full swing and Mission Hills is definitely hopping. As both a business owner and someone who truly loves this neighborhood, it’s heartening and exciting to see so many folks out and about. Neighborhood shops and restaurants are bustling, the streets are filled with families, dogs, shoppers, diners and more. And there is a buzz in the air of friendship, camaraderie, and fun.
Friday night concerts in the park have been a big hit. They’re the perfect place for families and friends to gather, picnics to be served and “dance moves” to be shown off. Organized by the Town Council and sponsored by many Mission Hills businesses, these gatherings really brought out the community.
To keep the party going into August, the Mission Hills Foundation will be holding a Music and Art Festival on August 15 and again, businesses like Powers Plumbing, Mission Hills Nursery, VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital and the Presidio Sentinel are there to help make sure that the show goes on, as well as lots of local residents.
Mission Hills really strutted its stuff on July 4th. The concert, parade and barbecue contest are the perfect, small town, old school way to celebrate the birth of our nation. Brooklyn Girl generously sponsored the barbecue contest and, I’m pretty sure, gave out some pointers along the way.
On the heels of July 4th, the good people of Maison en Provence organized a neighborhood Bastille Day celebration. Mission Hills went “French for a Day,” with everything from French manicures to French food and even French poodles!
Our very own, Mission Hills BID, held it’s summer mixer and a good time was had by all. With tacos a plenty, wine flowing and the hospitality of Patterson Engineering, Inc. owners Audrey and Curtis Patterson, it was the perfect chance for local business owners to grab some face time and network.
Congratulations to Christopher Stokes, owner of Mail Station Mission Hills FedEx and Mail Box Rental. He correctly answered the most questions in the Mission Hills BID’s WHO DAT!? Banner Hunt Contest. And our gratitude to RestorMedicine, The Patio on Goldfinch, Rita’s of Mission Hills, The Front Porch, and Floyd’s 99 Barbershop- Mission Hills for their generous contribution of contest prizes!
If you’re wondering what this is all about, never fear, the fair banners will be back in 2016. And if you can’t wait until then, visit MissionHillsBID.com/banner-hunt-2015/ to see what you missed. The 67 questions were designed to be fun and to provide information about each participating Mission Hills business. Which ones did you find the most interesting? Let us know.
What’s coming up? Under the category of necessary business, the BID is refining and streamlining its Public Right-Of-Way (PROW) program. The PROW program promotes pedestrian traffic and beautification of the streetscape by allowing the use of parts of the Public-Right-Of-Way. PROW programs are only allowed within the City of San Diego’s designated Business Improvement Districts. To learn more about the Mission Hills PROW program, visit missionhillsbid.com/prow/ where you will find an information booklet, the Mission Hills PROW Checklist and Mission Hills PROW Application. For additional questions please contact executive director Susan McNeil Schreyer at MissionHillsBID@gmail.com.
In August the BID is officially dark, as in no meetings will be held. But our fearless executive director will still be at the ready to help with all of your questions. And, remember to check the website MissionHillsBID.com.
Planning for October’s fourth annual Taste of Mission Hills will happen in September. Please come out for the committee meetings on the first Wednesday and have your voices heard. In September we will also have a meeting of the nominating committee to get ready for November’s election. We’d love to see some new board members and officers.
Even in the dog days of August I expect to see a bustling neighborhood, thriving businesses and a great community spirit. Times are a changing, businesses growing and the hills really are alive.
Category: Business, Local News
