Coronado Home and Business

The Gensler Group recently hosted their 11th annual Wealth Management Symposium featuring Burt White, Chief Investment Officer of LPL Financial. White spoke on the topic of “Why The Bull Market Will Continue.”

We are in the midst of the longest economic expansion since the 1950’s and Bull markets don’t die of old age, they die from excesses.

A decade ago, we experienced the biggest recession in modern times, followed by

Lists created by travel websites or publications for top travel destination cities isn’t a novel concept. However, the list that trumps all others is compiled by Cvent, which actually measures and ranks cities by hotel revenue and visitor spending created by meeting groups and events. Coronado, which in years past has either barely qualified for or just missed the Top 50, came in at No. 41 in the United States for 2019, with $59 million in hotel revenue, accompanied by a tidy $112 million generated in visitor spending.

Coronado is the unwilling target of three governmental entities who are more than willing to tell locals what is best for their city. The Port of San Diego is desirous of either building new or expanding existing hotels in two different parts of the city. The San Diego Airport Commission with their Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (ALUCP), is close to limiting the amount of development allowed around NAS North Island and the airplane approach corridors that serve the base. And now the state of California’s Department of Housing and Community Development, via regional planning agency the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), is in the final throes of dictating that 1,001 low and moderately priced housing units, must be constructed in the city between the years of 2021 and 2029.

Art & Frames will host an artist show opening on Friday, Aug. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. and an artist demonstration on Saturday Aug. 3 from 2 to 6 p.m.

The Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosted a full flock at their annual flamingle, Celebrate Coronado Community Awards this past Wednesday, July 24, at the Community Center’s Nautilus Room. The event was a community-wide celebration as the Chamber honored the city and recognized local heroes. The Chamber would like to thank all who came out to show their support for this year’s award winners.

As part of ongoing construction related to the Hotel del Coronado’s Master Plan, the main entrance will be moved to Avenida del Sol, a cul de sac on the southern border of the hotel property. The existing Orange Avenue entrance will be closed. As part of the construction, a new traffic signal will be installed on Orange Avenue at Avenida del Sol. An application has been submitted to the California Department of Transportation, which is requirement before work can begin.

While he was on a walk on the Shores boardwalk, Dick Belkin saw a young boy, who he estimated to be about 8 years old, walking on the sand wearing fins trying to reach the water and struggling in the process. Belkin called that Flip-a-flap-a-phobia and when he went home, he sat down and wrote a poem about what he saw. Sherry, his wife of 55 years, encouraged him to transform the poem into a children’s book. The final product is a book entitled “The Coronado Kid” the story of a kid who has flip-a-flap-phobia who aspires to be a Navy SEAL and eventually meets one.

This is not Belkin’s first time writing and publishing a book. In fact, he has done it three times. His first book is a tongue twister called “Totally Twisted, Tongue Twister Soup” published under the name Captain Six, a TV character he played as a young man. Belkin’s second book is “Coronado Dog Surfing Olympics.” As Belkin has done in the past, he self published his books with the proceeds going to the Coronado Historical Association.

To illustrate this latest book, Belkin partnered with Samatha Wright whom he worked with on his first book. “Each [illustrator] brings something unique. Illustrating and writing a book is like making a movie. How you put it together…it’s a very creative experience. She is very talented and it was fun to work with her,” he said. “She has captured the sense of the story.”

Join Emerald C Gallery, 1331 Orange Avenue, on Saturday, July 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. to learn how to hand build two beautiful fairy houses out of clay. No experience necessary, $60 per student, bring your imagination. Class is open to all ages and the workshop price includes all supplies, instruction and wine, beer or sodas. There must be a minimum of six people per class and RSVP is required at least 24 hours prior to start of class. To register or for more information, visit gallery@emeraldc.com or call 619-996-3315.

Scientist.com, the online marketplace for outsourced research, announced today that Coronadan Chris Petersen, its Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Founder, has been awarded the Cox Business Exemplary Award as part of San Diego’s 2019 “Top Tech Awards”. Presented by Cox Business, the Top Tech Awards celebrate excellence among the San Diego business community’s technology executives. Petersen was selected for this special award by his peers from a field of over 400 highly-qualified applicants.

On Thursday, July, 25, from 6 to 9 p.m. Open Mic Night is back at the Emerald C Gallery, 1331 Orange Avenue, thanks to the support of the Coronado Music Festival. This event is free to attend and open to performers and spectators of all ages. Instrumentalists, singers, dancers, stroytellers, poets, jugglers, magicians and others are welcome. Audience seating is on a first come first served basis. If you are a performer and are interested in signing up for open mic, please email gallery@emeraldc.com or call 619-996-3315 to put your name on the list. Please include your first and last name and the performance genre.

Loews Hotels announced that they have revamped their legacy kids program with the launch of Loews Loves Families, focusing on kids of all ages, from infants to teens. For more than two decades, Loews Hotels has been a brand known for catering to children through Loews Loves Kids. Beginning this summer, Loews Loves Families will elevate the experience for the entire family, parents and children alike, starting with a special Family Road Trip package that will save families money on stays throughout the west coast this summer.

This event serves as the Chamber’s Annual Community Awards, including the local Police Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, Lifeguard of the Year, City Employee of the Year and Naval Base Coronado Firefighter of the Year. Additionally, the Chamber will induct their 2019-2020 Board of Directors and will present their selected Volunteer of the Year and Lewis R. Hardy, Jr. Award for service to the community.

Friday, June 29, 2019, marked the long-anticipated arrival of Serea Restaurant at the Hotel Del Coronado, and with it the return of sorts by Chef and Partner JoJo Ruiz to Coronado. As he said during our interview inside the elegant, airy and spacious eatery two days after the Grand Opening, “I grew up in the South Bay and had a dream I never thought would happen. I used to come to parties and bonfires in Coronado as a teenager 15 years ago, dreaming of working in a beautiful restaurant in the Hotel Del Coronado. And now I am.”

Ruiz was born in San Diego and is formally named Jose Joaquin, but his family nickname since he was a child has been ‘JoJo.’ Ruiz played soccer at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista for two years before a severe knee injury ended his playing career. As a child, summers were spent at a Grandparent’s beach house in Rosarito, Mexico. “We spent a lot of time there as kids,” Ruiz said. “We did a lot of exploring in the ocean tide pools. So I’m no stranger to seafood.”

Part of his introduction to seafood included the desire as a youngster to eat lobster. “I was so young, but I wanted to eat lobster. When I did, I thought, this is gross. Now I love Spiny lobster.” 

Whether you’re a resident or just visiting Coronado, you owe yourself the favor of making a trek to Emerald C Gallery to check out the brilliant ocean-themed mosaic work of Coronado resident Rebecca Sauer.

Sauer, who works as a critical care nurse by day, taught herself the art some 20 years ago when she resided in Philadelphia. Born into a locally-prominent family in upstate New York that valued culture and achievement, she was pressed into attending University of the Arts as a music major, with a focus on opera. While opera might have been the calling her parents sought for her, Sauer had other dreams, and when she and a friend were introduced to a prolific Philadelphia mosaic artist, she was captivated by the intricate and colorful work, and was soon teaching herself the art.

Since Sea180º Coastal Tavern opened a few years ago it has become a favorite place to go for a meal for locals near and far. Many diners flock to the restaurant to enjoy Sunday brunch, a holiday meal, and for some Happy Hour is their favorite time to go.

“Host a Hero” to attend this annual celebration!

 The Coronado Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize the police officers, firefighters, lifeguards and city employees who safeguard Coronado’s streets, houses, beaches and parks. This annual event provides the community with a unique opportunity to give thanks and celebrate their city on Wednesday, July 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. while enjoying a fabulous dinner from local chefs.

“We can’t wait to have the community join us in this annual celebration of all things Coronado, this will be one to remember!” said Sue Gillingham, Executive Director

Operating on a shoe string budget, Brant and Carol Sarber opened Island Pasta 25 years ago. Sarber, a Coronado native and son of a Navy SEAL, loved the idea of opening a pasta restaurant to give the guys going through BUDS training an opportunity to carb out. He had been working as a bartender at the Chart House, (currently Bluewater Boathouse), and was known among his co-workers for his love of cooking.

With the idea of opening a restaurant and saving money for his venture, Sarber also had a house painting business called Brush and Rush. His wife Carol and her sister Kathy Byrne, who is the manager/owner of Island Pasta, worked for him. Those days were not easy. Sarber worked as a painter during the day, went home to shower and then headed to his bartending job at the Chart House.

While Sarber was remodeling the restaurant, which had been a shop called Oriental Arts, the high school gym floor was getting redone and he asked if he could have the wood floor to use in the restaurant. “I did anything I could to save,” he said.

Trattorias in Italy are a family style, casual dining establishment usually owned by a family which serves traditional comfort food. Rosemary Trattoria, recently opened on Orange Avenue, achieves that definition with a variety of traditional dishes that have been received very well by the community. In fact the comments flying around town are very positive describing Rosemary as serving “good food.”

Owner/Chef Alejandro “Alex” Martinez has captured the homemade food style trend with dishes like chicken parmigiana, lasagna and pizzas. Rosemary Trattoria replaced Fonda Don Diego, a Mexico City style restaurant Martinez opened two years ago.

Martinez, who is also part-owner of Chez Loma with Coronado couple Andres and Lorena Girault for the past seven years, wasn’t always planning on being chef and a restaurateur.

Although of Mexican background, Martinez didn’t live in Mexico until he was 10 years old. He was born in Uruguay and spent his early years in South America. His father worked for a food industry corporation and the family moved often. Martinez’s family regularly held corporate dinners for the company and hosted Mexican style meals with ingredients brought in from Mexico when the family was there on vacation. Martinez’s food tastes were shaped by the variety of countries he lived in.

“I grew up eating different cheeses, meats and was used to the gastronomy from different countries,” he said.

After being a part of the fun over the years, Michael has re-created the energy and pride these community events bring to Coronado. “I’m not satisfied with someone buying a piece of my art and just hanging it on the wall. I want them to get a kick out of it each time they see it!” Michael says. Please take a moment to visit the ‘Coronado Art’ section on his award-winning website: www.ivesart.com. “The Fourth of July, Halloween, Holidays at the Del... no place does it like Coronado!” said Michael Ives. These paintings make fun additions to Coronado homes as well as gifts for visiting friends who are so captivated with our way of life. The New York Times said, “The ordinary into the unusual,” and House Beautiful said, “Vivid whimsy, can’t resist it.”

FlaMINGLE with the Coronado Chamber on July 24th for their annual event celebrating local heroes

If you’re turning 65, or you’re still working and planning to retire soon, it’s time to start thinking about Medicare and your options.

The next Coronado Roundtable will be held on Friday, June 28, at 10 am. in the Winn Room of the Coronado Library. Special speaker will be Sue Gillingham of the Coronado Chamber of Commerce. She will be speaking on Coronado’s Business Climate with special emphasis on the hospitality industry.

Primavera Ristorante, located at 932 Orange Avenue, will mark its 30th anniversary with a celebratory five-course dinner benefiting 22KILL on Tuesday, June 25.

On Friday, June 21, The Traveling Boutique will be stopping by in the Sandermann Auditorium at 265 Soledad Place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  It will have a large selection of ladies clothing, sandals, handbags, hats and jewelry available for your immediate purchase.  What excellent timing to enhance your wardrobe, find that special accessory or buy gifts for upcoming Summer events Proceeds from the sale benefit the Auxiliary in its financial assistance with Hospital Programs and Projects.