Coronado Times

Coronado Community READ Event: An evening with "The Feather Detective" author, Chris Sweeney
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Author Chris Sweeney will share the story behind The Feather Detective at the Coronado Public Library.
As part of the 10th annual Coronado Community READ, the Coronado Public Library will host a special evening with author Chris Sweeney on Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm. The free program will celebrate this year’s Community READ selection, The Feather Detective: Mystery, Mayhem, and the Magnificent Life of Roxie Laybourne, with Sweeney sharing his insight into the remarkable true story behind the book.
The Feather Detective chronicles the groundbreaking work of Roxie Laybourne, the world’s first forensic ornithologist, whose pioneering techniques in feather identification helped solve crimes, prevent airplane disasters, and transform scientific understanding. Blending biography, history, and natural science, the book has been praised for its engrossing narrative and compelling subject matter.
The event is free and open to the public thanks to support from the City of Coronado and the Friends of the Coronado Public Library. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-seated basis. For more information about this and other Community READ events, visit coronadolibrary.org.

All About Birds with Zovargo!
2026-03-09 15:30 - 16:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Come meet some feathery friends with Zovargo. This live bird demonstration will teach you about birds and everything that makes them fantastic.

More than specimens: Inside the Nat's bird collection
2026-03-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Coronado Community READ event

How do scientists identify a species from a single feather fragment? Phil Unitt from the San Diego Natural History Museum will share the history and modern applications of the museum’s bird collection. Discover the hidden world of museum collections and their vital role in understanding birds.

Philip Unitt is the Dennis and Carol Wilson Endowed Chair of Ornithology and curator of the Department of Birds and Mammals. Phil is a specialist in subspecies identification, distribution, and history of distributional change of California birds. He has led large survey projects, organizing hundreds of volunteers; analyzed and interpreted extensive data sets; and prepared more than 4,000 bird specimens.
Phil edits and produces publications on a wide variety of scientific subjects for diverse audiences, both public and professional. He authored The San Diego County Bird Atlas and The Birds of San Diego County, coauthored Birds of the Salton Sea, and is editor of Western Birds, the regional journal of ornithology for western North America.

Voice of San Diego’s MacKenzie Elmer on March 2 published an article on Philip Unitt. Read it at the link below:
Environment Report: A Conversation with San Diego’s ‘Bird Wizard’

An evening with Cynthia d’Aprix Sweeney
2026-03-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
New York Times bestselling author of The Nest, Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney will appear in conversation with award-winning writer Madhushree Ghosh to discuss her compelling new novel, Lake Effect. Hailed by Booklist as “a reverberating, intergenerational family saga… artful and fresh,” the novel explores love, longing, and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters as one family reckons with the consequences of a long-buried scandal. A book signing will follow the discussion.
Sweeney’s previous novels, The Nest and Good Company, have been widely celebrated, with The Nest named a best book of the year by People, The Washington Post, and NPR, and currently in development as a limited series with AMC Studios.
Ghosh is the author of the award-winning Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory, and Family and a widely published essayist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous literary outlets.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Limited preferred seating is offered with the purchase of Lake Effect through Warwicks Bookstore.
About Lake Effect
It’s 1977 and an air of restlessness has settled on the residents of Cambridge Road in Rochester, New York, a place long fueled by the booming fortunes of Kodak and Xerox and, for some, the mores of the Catholic church. When Nina Larkin is given a copy of The Joy of Sex by her newly divorced friend, she can no longer dismiss the nearly nonexistent intimacy of her marriage. Just as her oldest child, Clara, is falling in love for the first time, Nina finds herself longing for the forbidden: a midlife awakening. An intoxicating fling with a prominent neighbor brings Nina a freedom she never thought possible — but also risks the reputations of both families and unravels Clara’s world, just as she stands on the threshold of adulthood.
Years later, Clara, now a successful food stylist in New York City, has never been able to move past the long-ago scandal. Drawn back home by the pull of a family wedding and wrestling with her own demons, she makes a pivotal decision that turns her life upside down. Written with Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s signature humor and insight,  Lake Effect is a wise and probing look at love and desire, mothers and daughters, loss and grief, and what we owe the people we love most.

Lie Detectors & Tall Tales
2026-03-19 15:30 - 16:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
As a part of this year’s Coronado Community READ, kids of all ages are invited to an exciting and interactive storytelling show that asks the big question: When is it okay to lie? LA-based storyteller Adam Mellema brings the theme to life through hilarious tales from his own childhood, along with beloved stories like Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema and a fresh, playful take on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. The fun ramps up with plenty of audience participation, as volunteers are invited onstage to test out Adam’s “lie detector machine” and tackle tricky (and funny) hypothetical situations.
With nonstop movement, character voices, and big energy, Mellema prances, dances, and acts out every role in this fast-paced performance for all ages. Best of all, some of the stories featured are books you can check out from the library and take home the very same day.
This event is free to attend thanks to the support of the City of Coronado and the Friends of the Coronado Public Library. Seating is first come, first seated.

He dances… He sings… He’s got the energy of ten cheetahs! Adam plays all the characters in his stories: every man, woman, child, and paperweight. Mellema has performed all over the world including China, South Africa, Chile, and Mexico. Adam moonlights as an Emmy Award-winning Children’s Television Producer for companies including Disney Channel and Mattel. He is currently Head of Content for Yippee TV, a streaming service for kids where he has overseen the creation of 55 original series. Mellema co-created the campy action figure hit, Playtime, and Backseat Drivers, the world’s first car show for kids. His preschool series, Maggie’s Market, is in its fourth season. In his “spare time,” Adam serves on several boards for local arts organizations, visits old places, and dreams of learning to play the zither.

At Your Fingerprints, Forensic Science Workshop
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This workshop will provide a brief overview of the forensic science disciplines with a focus on fingerprint analysis. A hands-on portion of the workshop will allow attendees to determine the basic fingerprint pattern classification of their own fingerprints!
This program is for adults over the age of 18. Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

Tina Young is a College Professor in Southern California where she teaches basic and advanced forensic photography, forensic technology, forensic analysis, criminal evidence, and California State-certified forensic technology and bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) courses.

She worked as a Crime Scene Specialist from the mid-1990s to early 2000s. She’s a private BPA practitioner and has testified as a BPA expert witness in San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino County Superior Court. She has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Forensic Sciences degree.
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Since July, 2007, she’s maintained certification as a Certified Bloodstain Pattern Analyst through the International Association for Identification.
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Tina is the author of a forensic technology textbook, contributing author in forensic photography textbooks, and authored several forensic journal articles. She was featured on the Discovery Channel’s What on Earth series.
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Tina’s latest passion is her forensics fiction novel series for young adults, Bailey McKenzie, Crime Scene Specialist.

San Diego Storytelling Festival
2026-03-21 10:00 - 17:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Storytelling Festival Returns to the Coronado Public Library

Head over the Coronado Bridge for the San Diego Storytelling Festival as it returns to the Coronado Public Library on Saturday, March 21. This year’s theme, “Light in the Dark,” invites audiences to explore stories that illuminate hope and resilience through a full day of free performances, workshops, and interactive experiences.
The festival opens at 10 am with Light in the Dark, featuring local and visiting storytellers sharing folktales, history, and personal narratives inspired by the international theme At 11 am, audiences can choose between Sea to Shining Sea, celebrating America’s 250th birthday through stories from coast to coast, and Good Craic: Irish Stories and Music, where twice All-Ireland storytelling champion Mairtín de Cógáin brings the lively Irish seanchaí tradition to life with wit and charm.
The day will also include a special workshop with Grammy winner Adam Mellema, who will share his “secret sauce” for gathering and preserving family stories. In the afternoon, Deidra Davis will create a live art installation with stories during A Community Tree, while Darci Tucker’s dynamic first-person portrayal in Revolutionary Women offers a vivid look at colonial America.
The day also features Out Loud: Teen Voices, showcasing student storytellers from Morse High School, and a Story Circle/Open Mic where community members are invited to share short, heartfelt stories of their own. The festival concludes with Voices at the Water’s Edge, an inspiring celebration of personal and traditional stories designed to send audiences home with new stories, good memories, and light in the dark.
Hosted in partnership with Storytellers of San Diego, which has brought oral storytelling to the region for more than 40 years, the festival is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to join for one event or stay for the day to experience storytelling in its oldest and most vibrant form. Learn more at coronadolibrary.org.

Feathers & Form Art Workshop
2026-03-24 18:00 - 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join visual artist Stacie Birky Greene for a bird drawing workshop designed for people of all levels. In this hands-on session, Stacie will guide participants through techniques to observe and sketch birds with confidence and creativity. You’ll learn how to see key features like proportion, posture, anatomy, and feather texture, and how to capture these on paper with simple, expressive lines. The workshop also encourages participants to connect personally with nature as they draw — seeing birds not just as subjects, but as living forms with motion, attitude, and character.
This program is for adults over the age of 18. Space is limited, registration is recommended. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space permits.

Originally from Colorado, Stacie Birky Greene received degrees in Art and Art History from the University of Kentucky. She also studied in Florence, Italy, and at the Art Institute of Chicago. Although painting was the focus of her training, she has explored her art in a wide variety of media, including drawing, performance, photography, installation and video.
The central focus of Birky Greene’s work has been to explore nature through a combination of materials and techniques. Her approach has often been guided by a fascination with form and shape, particularly as nodes for connecting unlikely allies, such as coral and cacti. By taking organic materials (or at least their representation) out of context, she compels the viewer to revel in patterns of structural unity. Her recent work has also considered the impact of human consumption and climate change on the natural world. Appalled by mass deforestation and habitat destruction, she has turned her attention to bird species that have gone extinct since the time of her own birth. The tangible results of this study will be revealed over the course of the next few years, in a variety of projects. One feature of these works that is important to consider is her choice of materials: namely, junk mail, which she either uses “as is” or manipulates, with the addition of other detritus, into homemade paper. It is a project that implicates us all in its struggle: here are beautiful objects made, nevertheless, from unwanted materials. Moreover, the materials themselves are the products of overconsumption of resources – fossil fuels burned in production and transportation, and deforestation to provide wood pulp for paper. The problem of avian ecology and the pressures these birds face is multidimensional, but the viewer is placed in the unlikely position of assessing and admiring the victim even as its emblem is formed from components that have been implicated in its destruction.
Birky Greene lives in San Diego, and she exhibits her artwork locally and internationally. She has taught art to children and adults since 1998.

Best of the Best Book Club: "The Calculating Stars" by Mary Robinette Kowal
2026-03-25 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library’s Best of the Best Book Club meets regularly on the 4th Wednesday of each month to discuss books that have won major awards.
For our March meeting, we will discuss the 2019 Hugo Award winner The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal, a novel that imagines an alternate history of spaceflight that speaks volumes about the present.
Place this title on hold via our online catalog, or check out the e-book through the CloudLibrary app.
About The Calculating Stars
On a cold spring night in 1952, a huge meteorite fell to earth and obliterated much of the east coast of the United States, including Washington D.C. The ensuing climate cataclysm will soon render the earth inhospitable for humanity, as the last such meteorite did for the dinosaurs. This looming threat calls for a radically accelerated effort to colonize space, and requires a much larger share of humanity to take part in the process.
Elma York’s experience as a WASP pilot and mathematician earns her a place in the International Aerospace Coalition’s attempts to put man on the moon, as a calculator. But with so many skilled and experienced women pilots and scientists involved with the program, it doesn’t take long before Elma begins to wonder why they can’t go into space, too.
Elma’s drive to become the first Lady Astronaut is so strong that even the most dearly held conventions of society may not stand a chance against her.

Birding 101: How (and why) to spot birds in your neighborhood
2026-03-26 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Have you ever seen a bird? Then you’re already a birder! Join San Diego Bird Alliance for a fun and easy introduction to the world of birds. San Diego is one of America’s “birdiest” counties, and we’ll talk about what makes our region so special. You don’t need to go far to experience this bounty, and we’ll talk about how to spot and identify some familiar birds right in your own neighborhood. Along the way, we will learn about free resources like eBird, the Merlin Bird ID app, and ways to get plugged in with other local nature enthusiasts. This talk will be given in English, with English/Spanish resources available. All ages are welcome!

San Diego Bird Alliance is a local nonprofit defending our region’s birds, unique biodiversity, and threatened habitats through advocacy, education, and restoration. SDBA has served San Diego County’s diverse communities for over 75 years through community-based habitat restoration projects, environmental education programs, and recreational offerings. https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/

San Diego Writers Festival
2026-03-28 09:00 - 18:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The San Diego Writers Festival is a free, community-based event designed to celebrate the power of writing and storytelling.
Stories transform both the teller and the listener. In whatever form you welcome a story into your life—by reading a memoir or graphic novel, listening to a podcast or a poetry reading, watching a movie or play or going to the theater—stories are our pathways, our links, our bridges to one another.
At the San Diego Writers Festival, we ask two important questions: What if there was a place where all stories could be nurtured and heard? What if we opened up our community to stories from those who have been under-served, disenfranchised, or neglected?
We invite you to join us on our mission to hear one another, be educated and illuminated by one another, and inspired by one another—one story at a time.
Jodi Picoult headlines 7th annual San Diego Writers Festival in Coronado

Makers Monday: Birds and Detectives with LKW STEM Foundation
2026-03-30 14:00 - 15:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Hosted by LKW STEM Foundation, Birds & Detectives is an engaging, hands-on STEM Workshop that introduces students to the science of Forensic Ornithology — the investigation of bird evidence to solve real-world mysteries. Participants step into the role of nature detectives as they observe birds, analyze feathers and tracks, collect data, and use scientific tools to draw evidence-based conclusions.
Through guided inquiry and outdoor exploration, students practice core STEM skills such as observation, pattern recognition, data recording, and critical thinking while strengthening social-emotional skills like collaboration, curiosity, and perseverance. The workshop connects science learning to real careers in wildlife biology, environmental science, conservation, and forensic investigation, helping students see how STEM is used beyond the classroom.
Designed to be interactive, age-appropriate, and inclusive, Birds & Detectives blends science, nature, and problem-solving to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire the next generation of STEM thinkers — one clue at a time.
Registration Required, please register EACH child individually

Book launch: "The Last Special Thing" by Alyssa Burns
2026-03-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Tasting Room, 1201 1st St # 101, Coronado, CA 92118, USA
2010 Coronado High School grad Alyssa Burns will celebrate the release of her debut novel, The Last Special Thing (releases April 1) at a book launch party at the Coronado Tasting Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 30. The entire community is invited.

Alyssa Burns with copies of her debut novel. Courtesy photo.
The Last Special Thing is a young adult fiction novel that tackles drug exploration, a topic she approached with caution. It’s a book that she wished she had read while younger, because it explores how quickly people can find themselves in unexpected situations. It aims to teach young readers to navigate these things without condescension.
“You don’t open to page one and someone’s doing heroin,” she said. “There’s a step stool to how these things escalate, and that structure came naturally to this story.”
Burns was intentional about refusing both glamorization of drugs and oversimplified scare tactics.
“How we talk about drug use is: ‘Don’t do drugs because you’re going to get addicted and die,’” she said. “Maybe you’re not going to get addicted and die, but you’re also not going to have a good time. You’re going to make decisions you wouldn’t have made otherwise.”
The core message of the book is embedded in its title.
“You don’t need drugs, you don’t need a guy, you don’t need a thrill to be special,” Burns said. “You already are.”

Readers can preorder a signed copy of The Last Special Thing on Alyssa Burns’ website. To read more of Burns’ writing for The Coronado Times, click here.
LEARN MORE HERE

Stroll and a Story
2026-04-06 09:15 - 10:15 | Stop and Grow, 1339 Orange Avenue, Suite 8B, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Begin at the Stop & Grow children’s book store (1339 Orange Ave, near the Miguel’s hostess stand), and stroll down to Mathewson Park for an Easter-themed story time.

Amanda Johnson created Stop & Grow to get kids excited about reading

An evening with international soccer star Landon Donovan
2026-04-11 17:30 - 18:30 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
As excitement builds around the World Cup — played in part on U.S. soil this year — join the Coronado Public Library for a special evening with Landon Donovan, widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time. Donovan will share reflections from Landon: A Memoir, offering an inside look at his life on and off the field, from defining career moments to the challenges that shaped his journey beyond the game.
A six-time MLS Cup champion and four-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, Donovan remains the all-time assists leader for the U.S. Men’s National Team and is tied for the most international goals scored by an American man. His five World Cup goals make him the highest-scoring American male player in tournament history, and Major League Soccer honored his legacy by naming its MVP award after him. Yet Donovan’s memoir goes far beyond trophies and highlight reels, it’s a story of resilience, vulnerability, and self-discovery.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Coronado Public Library’s work with the Exceptional Families Program and requires a paid ticket for entry. The Friends of the Coronado Public Library are dedicated supporters who offer financial assistance for a variety of the Coronado Public Library’s programs that serve readers and learners of all ages. The Exceptional Families Program is a partnership with the Coronado Community Foundation and Camp Able which offers monthly programs that provide enrichment, respite, and community connection for families with special needs members, particularly those who have aged out of school-based services or are transitioning beyond the classroom.
Ticket options include:

$10 entry only

$29.95 for admission for one person and one copy of Landon: A Memoir

Tickets can be purchased at cplevents.org or adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/landon-donovan-4-11-26/. This event will take place at the Coronado Performing Arts Center in partnership with Adventures by the Book. All seating is first-come, first-served.

Earth Day local author visit, book signing at Stop and Grow Books
2026-04-12 14:00 | Stop and Grow, 1339 Orange Avenue, Suite 8B, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Coronado author, Marianne Blackstone Tabner, will be at Stop and Grow Books on April 12 in celebration of Earth Day doing a book reading and signing of her book “Taking Turns.”

The Friends’ 54th annual Spring Book Fair
2026-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Friends of the Coronado Public Library (Friends) 54th Annual Spring Book Fair will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 10 am to 4 pm, outside the Coronado Public Library.
This community tradition, held alongside the Coronado Flower Show, allows book lovers, families, and neighbors alike to browse thousands of books at exceptional prices, from bestsellers and hidden gems to children’s favorites and timeless classics. Visitors can also discover even more titles at the Honor Shop inside the library lobby and the Friends Bookstore, along with popular pre-loved books and ready-to-give gift items — perfect for any occasion.
Photo Credit: Jena WIllard for the Friends

Summer Reading Adventure
2026-05-12 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Featuring NYT bestseller Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today bestseller Meg Donohue, and Desi Arnaz’s granddaughter Kate Luckinbill

Adventures by the Book® invites you to join us for a joyful Summer Reading Adventure featuring beloved New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey, USA Today bestselling novelist Meg Donohue, and special guest Kate Luckinbill, granddaughter of iconic television legend Desi Arnaz. From sun-soaked coastal fiction to emotionally rich, thought-provoking storytelling — along with a unique perspective on storytelling legacy and Hollywood history — this special evening celebrates the books you’ll be packing in your bag all summer long.
As part of our ABTB signature event series, this Summer Reading Panel brings readers face-to-face with the authors behind Summer State of Mind and The Memory Gardener, offering an inside look at the inspiration, themes, and creative spark that make a story the perfect seasonal escape. Kate Luckinbill will also share reflections on growing up connected to one of television’s most beloved pioneers, adding a special multigenerational perspective on creativity, storytelling, and legacy in A Book By Desi Arnaz.
Whether you’re a devoted Kristy Woodson Harvey reader, a fan of Meg Donohue’s emotionally resonant fiction, intrigued by Kate Luckinbill’s connection to entertainment history, a book club looking to plan ahead, or simply a reader eager to discover what you should be reading this summer, this evening is designed for you. Come with friends, bring your book club, or join us solo — everyone is welcome in our community of passionate, curious readers.
Your Adventure includes a lively author conversation, audience Q&A, book signing, and the chance to connect with fellow readers who know that summer is always better with a great book in hand.
Registration
This event is FREE and open to the public, with general seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For readers who prefer a little peace of mind and want to show their early support of the authors, a VIP option includes guaranteed event admission and reserved seating with the pre-order of Summer State of Mind, A Book by Desi Arnaz, or The Memory Gardener.
And since we’re officially in a summer state of mind, we’re delighted to offer a discounted three-book bundle—the perfect pairing to kick off your summer reading season.
