Much to Celebrate! | A Word from our President
Much to Celebrate!
A Word from our President – By Jamaal Jackson, President of Mission Hills BID and Branch Manager / Assistant Vice President U.S. Bank – Mission Hills
Did you know that the Year of The Snake began just days ago on January 29, with the first new moon of the lunar calendar, and the new year celebration continues for two weeks? The Snake symbolizes wisdom, mystery, intuition and transformation while offering personal growth and change opportunities. The lunar calendar is based on moon cycles, so the dates of the Lunar New Year celebration changes slightly each year. US Bank is continuing its tradition of giving away bright red envelopes and calendars. Gifting a red envelope with lucky money is a hallmark of Lunar New Year. As the branch manager at US Bank Mission Hills, I welcome you stop by 610 W. Washington, and ask yours.
This month, please consider exploring and sharing your appreciation of National Black History Month by promoting meaningful discussion using hashtags such as #BlackHistoryMonth and #BlackHistoryMatters on social. The celebration is 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. Join me in recognizing and honoring the achievements, contributions and history of Black Americans to our American history.
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 Friday so why not celebrate the entire weekend? 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 family-size heart-shaped pizza with your choice of topping, from Pizza e Birra at 3625 India Street? I mention them because the co-owner of this business serves alongside me on the Mission Hills BID board of directors. But know that at every turn, throughout Mission Hills, on West Washington, Goldfinch, Fort Stockton, West Lewis, India and Reynard Way, there are endless gift choices for all ages. Check out more specific happenings on Instagram @missionhillsbidsd. For those preferring at home celebrations, consider a French Champagne or California, Spanish, or Italian 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 few days later, 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. This day is also a City of San Diego holiday, so check the City website for closures and delays in recycling, food waste and trash pick up.
And, on Monday, February 24, from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, the Mission Hills BID will celebrate the young artists from Grant TK8 School and the hand painted banners they created to showcase the businesses of Mission Hills. These banners were installed atop lamp posted throughout Mission Hills in December and evaluated by a panel of fourteen judges in late-January. Each judge was provided 5 criteria from which to evaluate each banner. In total, 4,900 pieces of data were utilized to compile the list of winners. The first one hundred celebration attendees will be invited to tour the seventy banner installation in Colors on Canvas trolleys provided by Old Town Trolley. On their return, the celebration will begin and awards will be announced. Thank you to artist-in-residence Sarah Ekedal and her talented school children for the impressive artwork! For more information check out @missionhillsbidsd.
Mission Hills BID continues to enjoy a partnership with the San Diego County Fair where the Fair provides our 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 60-minute photo session in Mission Hills on Thursday, February 27, from 10:00 until 11:00 in the morning. This year’s theme will be Summer Pet-tacular. Live pets will not be permitted this year. Stuffed animals are 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 offer is directed toward Mission Hills business owners who are current on their business license tax payment.
I would like to announce plans are already underway for the 13th Annual Taste of Mission Hills on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, fun quarterly mixers in March, June, and September where business and community members mix and mingle, and a speakers series to share helpful information from the City Auditor’s Office and the San Diego Police Department. We have been working with SDG&E and have identified all boxes in the business core. Criteria for this project was developed and shared through an RFP process. Efforts such as our ongoing Mission Hills Banners Programs, Colors on Canvas childrens’ handpainted banner art and new projects like Utility Box Birds of Mission Hills Wayfinding, help to further establish a safe and well designed “sense of place” in Mission Hills. Our original funding source was approved and then withdrawn, but we are optimistic the project will come to life, soon.
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 bird-centric design? Do you have an idea for what tools and tips you might find useful at a Small Business Workshop Do you have a suggestion on how we on the BID board and our executive director may better help you? 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.