Coronado Times

Wine & Lecture: Ellen Browning Scripps - SOLD OUT
2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
SOLD OUT

The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, February 19. Enjoy a captivating evening with a fascinating look into the life and legacy of Ellen Browning Scripps (1836–1932) — the celebrated philanthropist who appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in 1926 after giving away the equivalent of $100 million to institutions such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and Scripps College.
This engaging lecture will explore Scripps’s remarkable career as a journalist, her lifelong dedication to social advocacy, and the pivotal role she played in shaping modern philanthropy. We will also highlight the broader legacy of women in philanthropy — a powerful tradition of leadership that continues today.
Join us for a wine & cheese reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00
Non-Member: $20.00

Important Registration Information: Reservations are required. Please be aware that tickets for the wine & lecture events are nonrefundable, as proceeds support our educational mission.
If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.
Purchase the book through the University of Nebraska Press by clicking the image below:

About the Speaker
Molly McClain (PhD, Yale) is a professor of history at the University of San Diego. Her academic honors include USD’s distinguished University Professorship and the Davies Award for Faculty Achievement. A ninth-generation San Diegan, she is the author of four books and numerous articles, including Ellen Browning Scripps: New Money and American Philanthropy (2017). An editor of The Journal of San Diego History for over a decade, she encouraged writers to explore the region’s fascinating and understudied past. McClain has worked on a variety of public history projects, including the successful designation of the La Jolla Park Coastal Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. She is a former board member of the La Jolla Historical Society.

Soroptimist program on human trafficking awareness and prevention
2026-02-23 17:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Children as young as eight years-old can fall victim to trafficking, and the average age is just thirteen. Trafficking has been reported in all schools in San Diego, and it happens in plain sight. The Center for Justice & Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) is fighting this attack on our youth with an outreach program showcasing in San Diego middle and high schools. Students in grades six through twelve learn to recognize grooming tactics and hear about practical tools designed to protect themselves and their peers from exploitation. Coronado Soroptimist invite middle/high school students and their families, CUSD faculty, as well as all interested community members to attend this important information session on Monday, Feb. 23 at 5:30 pm in the Winn Room.
PLNU’s outreach program, kNOwMORE, is a drama-based and student-centered human trafficking awareness and prevention curriculum grounded in the latest sex trafficking research in San Diego and developed in collaboration with leading experts. The main vehicle for presenting this information is a film that will be shared with attendees. The film features actors portraying various at-risk situations before participating in a follow-up panel discussion.
Ebony Robinson, kNOwMORE’s program manager and a survivor of exploitation herself, will be the evening’s speaker. She is a leader in the field of assisting survivors of trafficking with over ten years of experience in a number of different settings, including schools, the juvenile justice system, and survivor transition programs.

Please join the Soroptimists as they seek to strengthen our community’s awareness and expand understanding of the tools needed to protect local youth from the consequences of trafficking in the San Diego area.
kNOwMORE website link
Coronado Soroptimist

Small Changes, Big Impact: Electrification That Fits Your Home
2026-02-26 10:00 - 11:30 | John D. Spreckels Center Activity Room, 1019 7th St., Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join Emerald Keepers for a free talk at the Coronado Spreckels Center’s Activity Room (1019 7th St.). Kathy Nicholson of the San Diego Building Electrification Coalition (SDBEC) will provide information and advice on electrifying your home to reduce energy and gas consumption. The talk will be followed by a Q&A.
Subjects include:
* Why electrification matters (health, safety, efficiency)
* Common myths (cost, reliability, complexity)
* Opportunities to update your home including heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, and heat pump dryers
* Which updates have the biggest impact
Click here to register.

February Spice It Up, Coronado!
2026-02-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Like a book club, but for cooking! Explore new spices each month, pick up a sample, cook at home, and discuss your creations in our monthly Zoom discussion.
For the month of February we will be sampling hawaij.
See photographs and recipes from past Spice It Up, Coronado! HERE, then click on Open Access.

Disclaimer(s)

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Wine & Lecture: Rooted in History, The Coronado Flower Show's Century of Blooms
2026-03-06 08:00 - 17:00 | CA
On Thursday, March 19, the Coronado Historical Association invites you to explore the vibrant legacy of the Coronado Flower Show at its Wine & Lecture installment, “Rooted in History: The Coronado Flower Show’s Century of Blooms.”
The event begins with a wine and cheese reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the panel discussion from 6 to 7 pm at the Coronado Historical Association, located at 1100 Orange Avenue. Tickets are $15 for CHA or Coronado Floral Association members and $20 for non-members. Because capacity is limited and reservations are required, guests are encouraged to register early at coronadohistory.org. For questions, please contact info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.

LEARN MORE HERE:
Rooted in history: Celebrating a century of the Coronado Flower Show

San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering
2026-03-07 10:00 - 17:00 | Petco Park, 100 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States
More than 100+ activities, performances are planned for this free event on Saturday, March 7.

The San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering will be held on Saturday, March 7, 10 am-5 pm at Petco Park, and will be a full day of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fun provided by hundreds of San Diego area businesses, schools, libraries, and museums. Admission is free and open to the public, no registration is required. A clear bag policy will also be in effect.

This year’s event is presented by Illumina Corporate Foundation and more than 20,000 people are expected. Featured areas include:

College and Career Connections: This will foster awareness and create meaningful connections for local middle and high school students who will have the opportunity to meet with over 20 higher education and industry partners, including San Diego State University. There will be two panels: at 11 am and 2 pm.
The Art Pavilion: Back by popular demand, The Madhatters return to teach attendees how to knit baby caps that will be donated to the local children’s hospital. Students and community groups will showcase their creative expressions infusing the STEM experience with artistic flair. This exciting new space will encapsulate the powerful synergy between science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Teacher Workshops: The ScienceBridge Enzyme Lab will take place between 11 am and 1 pm and is for educators with students in the 9th-12th grade. The Algae Academy is appropriate for any K-12 teacher, and will be held from 2-4 pm.

Sara Pagano, Executive Director of the San Diego Festival of Science & Engineering, says, “The festival aims to make STEAM learning enjoyable for all ages, from pre-K to gray. The event highlights San Diego’s leadership and innovation in science, technology and engineering fields and simplifies complex subjects for everyone.”
There will be dozens of returning hands-on learning experiences, interactive activities, and experiments to inspire kids (and kids at heart!) to engage in all things STEAM.
Two main stages will offer a variety of performances including math raps sung by The Music Notes, a High-Temperature Fusion show from General Atomics, an SD Mad Science-Fire & Ice performance, Fleet Science Center’s spectacle: Don’t Try This at Home, and EcoVivarium’s ‘Reptiles, Amphibians, and Bugs, Oh Why?’
ADDITIONAL ON-SITE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

DNA fun and genomics education with Illumina Corporate Foundation
The pre-K zone is filled with engaging activities for little learners
Virtual reality experiences
Rockets and explosions with General Atomics
Make slime, learn about underwater sea life, play with robots, watch a drone show and more!

The San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering’s mission is to engage kids in science and engineering. By doing this, the organization expands the general public’s understanding of the relevancy of science and engineering in everyday lives, illuminates why the United States must maintain its leadership role in science and technology, and work with parents and teachers to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical (STEAM) innovators.

College List Masterclass: Finding your best-fit schools
2026-03-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Get ready for your college visits with this strategic workshop.
Stop guessing. Start strategizing.
Join Eva Goetze, Founder of College Advising Boutique, for a high-octane workshop designed to transform college stress into a sophisticated roadmap. This isn’t just a presentation — it’s a strategic planning session.
In this “Power Hour,” families will:

Curate an Elite List: Learn to align ambitious academic goals with the current admissions landscape.
The 76% Rule: Use our signature Diversity & Culture metric to identify where students will actually thrive.
Tour Like a Pro: Master the “Audit Method” for upcoming spring college visits.
The Bonus: Every student receives a Personalized College Scorecard to rank and track their top-tier schools in real-time.

Stick around after the presentation for a chance to chat with your peers and get your questions answered.
About the presenter: Eva Goetze | Founder, College Advising Boutique
Specialized in students in grades 8–10, Ms. G. transforms admissions into a strategic, stress-free roadmap. A former COO, she brings executive precision to her niche: integrating high-value internships and career matching with the college search. Over 18 years, Eva has guided 2,000+ students into elite institutions like Yale, Duke, Rice, and USC. A leader in the Coronado and San Diego communities and a member of the Coronado Chamber, she provides personalized 1:1 consulting — in-person and virtually. Her methodology allows parents to just be parents by handling the strategy and accountability, ensuring the journey remains fun and focused on results.

Wine & Lecture: Rooted in History
2026-03-19 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, March 19. Rooted in History: The Coronado Flower Show’s Century of Blooms will dive into the vibrant history of the Flower Show, a community tradition spanning over 100 years. Join our panel of organizers as they share personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and the show‘s evolution from a village event to a cherished community centerpiece.
Join us for a wine & cheese reception at 5:30 pm, followed by the panel discussion from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00
Non-Member: $20.00

Important Registration Information: Capacity is limited and reservations are required. No walk-ins will be admitted.
If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.
Harold Taylor Slide 116. Coronado Historical Association.

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.

San Diego Writer's 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.

Wine & Lecture: San Diego's South Bay Railroads
2026-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association invites you to join us for this month’s installment of the popular Wine & Lecture Series on Thursday, April 16, about San Diego’s South Bay Railroads! Enjoy an engaging evening with Bruce Semelsberger, archivist at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, as we explore how the opening of the California Southern Railroad in 1885 transformed San Diego and sparked the Great Southern California Land Boom of the 1880s. Discover how San Diego’s would-be rail barons set their sights on Coronado and the South Bay — and find out what happened next in this fascinating chapter of local history.
Join us on Thursday, April 16, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now on our website.

Member: $15.00 each
Non-Member: $20.00 each

Important Registration Information: Reservations are required. Please be aware that tickets for the wine & lecture events are nonrefundable, as proceeds support our educational mission. If you have any questions, please email info@coronadohistory.org or call 619-435-7242.

About the Speaker
Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1947, Bruce Semelsberger received his education in Cuyahoga Falls and briefly pursued electrical engineering at the University of Akron before joining the U.S. Navy, serving in electronics from 1966 to 1970. Afterward, he built a long career in San Diego’s electronic component industry until retiring in 2016.
His lifelong fascination with railroads began with a few old maps and led him to join the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in 1984. What started as a volunteer cataloging project became a decades-long commitment as Research Director, Librarian, and Archivist. Bruce has lectured widely, taught railroad history at Cuyamaca College, and helped restore trains, tracks, and facilities.
Today, he continues collecting material for a book on San Diego’s early railroad history while hiking, researching, and preserving the region’s rail heritage for future generations.
