The Beach Club at the Coronado Shores celebrated the opening of a new room named The Monte Carlo Room with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Thursday, Aug. 26.

With the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly behind us, Bistro D’Asia’s owner Alaa Elsadek should have been celebrating the survival of his restaurant. Instead he recently closed for good on Labor Day because his landlord would not renew the lease of the 20-year-old eatery. Bistro D’Asia, which served Asian fusion dishes, has been the place locals flocked to for Chinese food and sushi. Now Coronadans will be left with choices out of town and over the bridge. “Bistro d’Asia and its staff would like to say a big thank you to the locals for their support,” said Elsadek.

Elsadek explained his lease started in 2001 for 5 years with options to renew every 5 years. The B Street and Orange Avenue corner building was purchased by a new landlord a few years ago and it seems that Bistro D’Asia does not fit his plans.

As the summer months come to a close and we return to our everyday routines, it is important to be mindful of how we go about planning our coming days and weeks. After a few weeks or even months of loosened schedules and timelines, it may be tempting to over-schedule ourselves, especially as…

You would think being in the Navy for four years and being a mom to five children would be enough to take on for a lifetime. Not so for Amity Provenzano, one of the principal owners of the new car wash business in town, Philthy Philz.

Provenzano told of how Philthy Philz got its name. “When we were coming up with a name for the business we were trying to think of something catchy and creative that everyone would remember. Phil is my husband’s name and we were working with a friend in marketing on creating a brand that would stay with our customers.” Philthy Philz stood out from the other ideas discussed.

The Coronado Chamber of Commerce has selected Coronado resident Rena Clancy as its next Executive Director. Clancy previously served as the Chamber’s Membership Coordinator and will follow in the footsteps of Sue Gillingham who announced her retirement last month. 

“The Chamber Board is excited by the plans for the organization that Rena has developed. As a Coronado resident, she understands the importance to our residents of maintaining a vibrant downtown,” said Chamber Chairman Mike Woiwode

Rena, her husband Sean, and their son Adrian, moved from Philadelphia to Coronado in 2015.

Opening up a business in Coronado is quite an undertaking on its own, but throw in a torn Achilles tendon from playing pickleball six days prior to opening, and we have the story of a determined new shop owner and designer in town.

Nicole Wing is the proud proprietor of Sea La Vie. A coastal living store located on First Street, neighboring Tartines. Sea La Vie is new to the area this summer, but Wing is a lifetime Coronado native along with her parents, Peggy and Steve Carver. “My parents came to Coronado in the early 70’s and owned the Chevron gas station on Ninth and Orange,” said Wing. “It was my parents who gave me my entrepreneurial spirit at an early age through our family business. I worked at the gas station and wore a jacket that said ‘Manager’ on it. I went with my dad all the time to check on the family business, and my mom was the bookkeeper there. I had a job pumping gas, washing car windows, and detailing cars. We were a full service gas station.”

In a true sign of recovery, the Hotel del Coronado and Discover Coronado hosted its first large, in-person event for convention and meeting planners since late 2019. After being postponed five times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Smart Meetings National Meeting began on Aug. 8.

Considered one of the largest gatherings for those who plan conventions, the event was originally scheduled for May 2020, but was rescheduled four more times in July, August, September, and October 2020.

In addition to keynote speakers, networking sessions and group activities, the Smart Meetings National Meeting provided a perfect opportunity for the 62 attendees to review

The Silver Strand Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) celebrated their 50th year as an organization for Coronado and Imperial Beach this year. The local chapter welcomes anyone who has held a commission or warrant in any of the uniformed services and their surviving spouses, providing a space to socialize, stay connected, and take an active part in helping current, surviving, and future service members.

I spoke with current president of the Silver Strand Chapter, Robert “Bob” Breglio Jr., and former president of the local chapter and current member of the MOAA Board of Directors nationally, Marvin “Marv” Heinze, who are both retired captains of the Navy.

Is Money The Measure of Success? This is the question answered by Sawyer Eader, winner of this year’s Gensler Group Essay Contest and $1,000 Scholarship to the Grossmont College drone license program. Eader was chosen from 67 applicants judged on best composition based on originality, thesis statement, structure and introspection.

Congratulations to Eader, we wish you much success! Here is his winning essay:

“My mom called it camping. She did everything she could to make it feel normal,

Fostering a healthy sense of independence and autonomy is an important part of my work with a wide variety of clients—from individuals struggling with illness or injury to those who struggle to balance their own needs with the needs of those around them. With Independence Day just behind us,…

Dine.Direct, an order and delivery platform created by local restaurateur, Ken Irvine, and tech entrepreneur, Ralph Burleson, is now offering a delivery option for restaurants in Coronado. Partnering with a robotics company called Daxbot, Dine.Direct is integrating a team of people-oriented robots called “Dax” to handle short-range food deliveries around the island.

“When it comes to jobs there are the three D’s,” Burleson told me when as we spoke about their newest development and I asked how Dax came about. “Is it dirty? Is it dangerous? Is it dull? These are jobs that robots can excel at and open up more interesting jobs for people. …What school kid says, ‘I want to be a driver for Uber Eats?’ when they grow up?”

Irvine jumped in, “But, ‘I want to be a drone or robot safety operator’? Yeah.” This is where Dax comes in.

An innovative new website was launched last Friday that is dedicated to enhancing the golf game for over 10 million mature, U.S. golfers. Fore! Sixty offers curated, age-appropriate products and relevant guidance from a team of experts including golf coaches Hall of Fame inductee Mike Wydra.

Fore! Sixty was created by two 60-something successful entrepreneurs, Jim Plumb and Ralph Fascitelli with strong athletic backgrounds and an ongoing, albeit often “one way,” love affair with the game of golf.

“All of us baby boomers have to sooner or later face the fact that the par fours we used to easily reach with a driver and a seven iron are often a bridge too far to reach in regulation,” said Coronado native and co-founder Plumb.

With more and more people getting vaccinated and life going back to normal, everyone is taking advantage of the new freedom and going out to eat. You may have noticed an increase in diners waiting outside restaurants to be seated, or a bit slower service than pre-pandemic times - all due to shortage of restaurant workers. Another sign of the times is the many “Help Wanted” signs on the windows. The lack of restaurant employees is very real these days and causing a ripple effect in the industry.

As the Executive Chef for a restaurant group in Coronado, Imperial Beach resident and Councilmember Jack Fisher, has seen the effects first hand.

Coronado Cays Yacht Club member Maureen Orey will host and perform in a live comedy show at Finest City Improv in Hillcrest on Friday, July 16, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

There is a new “place to be” in Coronado on Thursday evenings. Food Truck Thursday at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa is a great way to transition back to community events and summer evenings. It’s outdoors, family friendly, and easy to get to. It’s set up on the Skyline Terrace open space adjacent to the bayside walkway, so most locals ride bikes or walk, although the resort offers complimentary parking. 

The event was originally created to give resort guests something to do when many businesses were shut down. The first one was held on May 20 and it didn’t

Stepping into parenthood with my husband has been one of the most exciting and stressful aspects of our relationship. I am deeply appreciative of the many important roles my husband plays in our family—including, but not limited to, being an active and equal co-parent and devoted and doting …

Shannon Wiegel has owned the popular store Charisma on Orange Avenue since 2017. She has enjoyed pleasing locals and tourists alike with her unique gifts, local wares and incomparable taste for what she places in her store.

Get ready Coronado, Charisma is about to make a major change! When I first heard about the news on the block, it bothered me to know that one of the islands beloved stores was about to replace our favorite items with something new. Maybe no one likes change? Or is it that Charisma has always provided the gifts we were looking for?

Memorial Day is always a special day in Coronado as we honor those that have served our country and call this community home. Former Naval officer Eric Johnson and his brother Matt chose that day for the official grand opening of their shop Trident Coffee.

Neighbors and visitors alike showed up to support Trident with a long awaited opening, featuring a new sign that carries their logo, with a yoga session before the celebration, and a ribbon cutting with Mayor Richard Bailey in attendance.

On June 16, Susan Stone, CEO of Sharp Coronado Hospital, thanked the Coronado Chamber of Commerce for hosting volunteer lunches at the COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic from January until June.

Over the weekend of Jan. 9, the hospital and the City of Coronado, envisioned the possibility of a Vaccination Clinic at the city’s community center. Just days later the first vaccines were given.

Sue Gillingham, Executive Director of the Coronado Chamber of Commerce, contacted the hospital to offer assistance.

One local business that has become a mainstay and central part of the community is Boney’s Bayside Market (Boney’s, for short). Family-owned and celebrating 16 years in Coronado this October, Boney’s prides itself on its foundation of health and wellness, both when it comes to groceries and to developing community.

Deborah “Debi” Boney, who owns the store with her sons, has a degree in health and wellness and sought to bring an alternative, locally focused grocery option to Coronado when she opened the store back in 2005. I spoke with Boney Bayside Market’s longtime bookkeeper and human resources manager, Bobbi-Lyn Carter, who told me of the long history the Boney family has in the produce and grocery service, and how Debi Boney wanted to honor that in creating Boney’s Bayside Market.

Treat Dad this Father’s Day at the legendary Hotel del Coronado with an array of experiences that are sure to warm his heart. From s’more by a private beach bonfire to private surf-lessons and beachfront dining aside live music, The Del offers countless unforgettable experiences for the entire family this Father’s Day.

Delight in gorgeous front row views of the Pacific Ocean, relax by cozy fire pits and savor delectable bites with breakfast served all day at Sun Deck. No reservations accepted, walk-ins only. Full menu here. 

Let Dad catch all the waves this Father’s

Many homes in Coronado have had several generations—some three, four or more—keep the premises within the same family for decades. This is true of the single-story clapboard Craftsman Bungalow originally built in 1904 at 941 G Avenue. Set back from the sidewalk by a low white picket fence, t…

For over 50 years, concurrent to serving as Coronado’s historian, the Coronado Historical Association has collected, safeguarded, and shared the history of our City and its people. As we reopen, we are reflecting on the ways that this year has shown us more than many in recent memory the importance of history and the strength of Coronado’s community. Local history is not documented in national textbooks, so organizations like CHA serve local communities as their archival and artifact repository and collective memory. This history is best understood through the voices of local citizens and their photographs, writings, and items they produce and hold dear.

Dr. Kevin Considine, D.O. is proud to announce the addition of a new doctor to his practice, his daughter Dr. Lisa Considine.

Lisa Considine is a second-generation physician joining this well-established practice after completing her medical school education at Midwestern University, her undergraduate work at LMU in Natural Science, and her medical residency at Kaiser in Riverside, California.

This addition to Crown Island Family Practice truly makes the office a complete family adventure. Along with both doctors, wife and mother Sally Considine is the office manager, and the Considine’s two other children, Krystina, an oncology infusion nurse, and Brian, an architect, have also worked in the office at one time or another. With this father-daughter team, you feel a strong connection to their dedication to medicine and family as a whole, which shines through in the way they care for their patients.

The Coronado Chamber of Commerce will be honoring our local Military Kids at this year’s Salute to the Military. The Chamber, in partnership with Hilton Worldwide, invites residents and local businesses to consider becoming an event sponsor for the Aug. 21 event held at the Hotel del Coronado’s newly renovated Windsor Lawn.

Since 1985, the Coronado Chamber of Commerce has hosted this black-tie affair, giving Coronado residents and surrounding business communities an opportunity to show their appreciation for local military members. The 2021 goal is to host 100 active duty couples for a night under the stars.