Oh, How I Love April!
by Dixie Hall, Mission Hills BID president and DixiePops owner
Nothing says springtime in Mission Hills more than a walk in the neighborhood. The flowers are in bloom, fragrant and filled with color. The foliage is at its peak.
With the arrival of spring we are filled with hope and optimism. Over the last couple of weeks our businesses have been re-opening with expanded outdoor and indoor offerings. Retail shops are filling their shelves and racks with beautiful merchandise and enticing patrons with special offers. And, I am so happy to see people gathering again for happy hours and dining on India Street and Fort Stockton Drive and all along West Washington Street. Our vibrant neighborhood of businesses is returning stronger than ever.
A lot of things are in the works in Mission Hills. One example is a new Library Master Plan and survey seeking community input to help create a branch library that meets our needs. The San Diego Public Library asked the Mission Hills BID to help with outreach to the neighborhood to increase survey responses for this new Library Master Plan. A critical part of the process is gathering community input. And your input is critical to the success of the planning process. Our Mission Hills community relies on the San Diego Public Library for all sorts of things – from books and computers to free WiFi, homework and job search help, 3D printing and even guitar lessons. But our Library Master Plan, based on 1990’s census data, doesn’t reflect how libraries have evolved or how they are used today. This is why it is time for a new Master Plan. What can your library do for you? Please take the survey and share what you want from the Library at: https://supportmylibrary.org/master-plan/. This survey is available in seven languages and is available through April 17.
Also Steve Wheeler, the old Mission Hills Library’s librarian has returned to this role at the new Mission Hills Library. Many of us remember Wheeler from his eight years at our old library. The Library is open for limited in-person services, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, but closed 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for cleaning. At present, up to 10 people at a time can be in the library to pick up holds, get quick help from library staff, obtain or renew a library card, use a computer for up to an hour, and print, and make photocopies.
Wheeler shared, “Abundant precautions are in place to ensure safety, including temperature checks, wearing masks, and social distancing. If you prefer not to enter the building, we can bring your books and other holds outside for pickup.”
At last month’s meeting the Mission Hills BID discussed a mid-April re-launch of its Colors-on-Canvas hand painted banner art contest in partnership with Grant School and Paint Box Art Studio. To support the next Colors-on-Canvas contest, tote bags created from the last hand painted banner contest are being sold at DixiePops, located at 301 West Washington Street. These upcycled totes may be purchased everyday between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. As this column goes to press, what will happen with Grant School’s re-opening and group art classes remain uncertain. We will update everyone on our website www.missionhillsbid.com. Also, during last month’s meeting the BID voted to explore a 2021 Taste of Mission Hills taking place on Wednesday, October 13. We are reaching out to our restaurateurs, baristas, bakers and ice cream and popsicle makers. Updates will also be shared on our website.
The BID is continuing its Ask An Expert speaker series with a COVID-19 vaccination and workplace safety presentation by employment attorney Iris Kristoff, from Dunn DeSantis Walt and Kendrick. The last two sessions have been information filled and allowed time for both advanced questions and live questions and answers. Please join us via Zoom , on April 21 at 4:15 p.m. as we continue the Ask An Expert speaker series “COVID-19 and the Workplace: Vaccinations and Compliance Strategies” with a presentation by experts in the field of employment law. Please go to http://missionhillsbid.com/meetings-and-agendas/#april to register for this speaker series presentation and receive the link to join us on Zoom.
There are many different ways to learn more about the Mission Hills BID, its meetings and activities, including our website: MissionHillsBID.com, Facebook: MissionHillsBID, Instagram: MissionHillsSD and Twitter: MissionHillsSD. If you love the Mission Hills business neighborhood and have ideas and time to help promote it, the Mission Hills BID needs you. Please contact us at MissionHillsBID@gmail.com.
Category: Business, Events, Fashion, Finance, Local News, Nonprofit
