Live, Learn, Love, and Celebrate!
By Jamaal Jackson, President, Mission Hills BID and Assistant Vice President| Branch Manager US BANK Mission Hills
February is filled with noteworthy reasons to celebrate. Let’s begin with the celebration of National Black History Month, dedicated to acknowledging the significant impact that Black individuals and communities have had on our nation’s history, culture, and progress. This national holiday serves as a platform to educate, reflect upon, and celebrate the rich heritage and diverse experiences of Black Americans. Did you know the automatic elevator door, the refrigerator, the three light traffic signals, the automatic gear shift for cars, and the world’s first human-programmable computer language were all invented by Black Americans? I invite you to join me in recognizing and honoring the achievements, contributions and history of Black Americans to American history. And please explore and share your appreciation to promote meaningful discussion using hashtags such as # BlackHistoryMonth and #BlackHistoryMatters on social.
Also happening in February is Lunar New Year on the 10th. This event is celebrated by many cultures in various ways with all giving the gift of a bright, beautiful, red envelope known as hóngbao, to friends and family. The hóngbao is filled with money and symbolizes good wishes and luck for the year ahead. If you would like a hóngbao, stop by US BANK – Mission Hills, at 610 W. Washington, and ask for one. In Mission Hills we welcome the year of the wood dragon, its power, vigor and charm and invite you to celebrate in our neighborhood.
For many, February is synonymous with Valentine’s Day, celebrated every year on the 14th. Nearly all of our Mission Hills restaurants will be offering Valentine’s meal specials and advance reservations are highly recommended. This year Valentine’s Day lands on a Wednesday so why not celebrate from one weekend through the next? From West Lewis to Fort Stockton, along Goldfinch, West Washington, West University, Reynard Way and India Street there are local businesses offering great gift buying options for you to give your Valentine. How about a fresh or dry floral bouquet or a single stem from BACKBONE Floral at 910 Fort Stockton Drive? Or a heart-shaped pizza with your choice of topping, from Pizza e Birra at 3625 India Street? I mention these because the owners of both businesses serve along side me on the Mission Hills BID board of directors. But know that at every turn, throughout Mission Hills, including at CAKE Bakery on Reynard Way, there are endless gift choices for all ages.
The combined birthdays of Washington and Lincoln give us Presidents’ Day, this year on the 19th, with another opportunity to get together with family and friends at home and in the neighborhood. Since 2024 is a leap year, keeping the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year, the month ends on the 29th, adding one more day to support a Mission Hills small business.
For those preferring at home celebrations, consider a French Champagne or California sparkling for these occasions, with an expert providing advice in every price range at Falcon Liquor, Hills Wine and Spirits, Mission Hills Liquor, Ibis Market, Lazy Acres Natural Food Market and at VONS. Supporting a local business helps keep revenue in our community.
A continuing partnership between Mission Hills BID and the San Diego County Fair provides business owners with the opportunity to appear on banners through a seven-week banner installation on Mission Hills lamp posts from Mid-May through the 7th of July. Plans are underway for a 90-minute photo session in Mission Hills on Wednesday, February 28, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the morning. This year’s theme is Let’s Go Retro, with 50s through 90s attire encouraged. The photo session will be $150 per banner. This price includes your banner to keep after July 7th. Please look for more detail on Mission Hills BID social.
This year’s Mission Hills BID January planning workshop consisted of four hours when the board of directors huddled and planned for the coming year. On behalf of the entire BID board, I would like to announce plans are already underway for the 12th Annual Taste of Mission Hills on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, fun quarterly mixers in March, June, and September where business and community members mix and mingle, and speakers to share helpful information on things like spoofing and how to call in a crime and get a unit to respond. Other projects the BID will be launching are Utility Box Wayfinding and Pedestrian Safety Asphalt Art. We have been working with agencies who have implemented asphalt art and with SDG&E to identify all boxes in the business core. And we are developing criteria for these projects. Through efforts such as our ongoing Mission Hills Banners Programs, and new projects like Utility Box Wayfinding and Pedestrian Safety Asphalt Art, we help to further establish a safe and well designed “sense of place” in Mission Hills.
With the beginning of each new year comes the opportunity for fresh ideas. We at the Mission Hills BID are ready to partner with you in achieving the greater good through-out our neighborhood of businesses. Do you have a utility box in mind that would look great with a fresh wayfinding design? Do you have questions on specific topics a speaker might shed light? Let the BID know at MissionHillsBID@gmail.com. For the most up-to-date information and news on what’s happening in Mission Hills continue to visit @missionhillssd on social.
Category: Business, Donations, Events, Food, Holidays, Local News, Nonprofit
