Soroptimist program on human trafficking awareness and prevention
2026-02-23 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.

Coronado Community READ Event: An evening with "The Feather Detective" author, Chris Sweeney
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | 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.

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

She Talks Global Experience
2026-03-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Nautilus Room, Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
She Talks is a nationally recognized movement and event series centered on creating safe, intentional spaces for women to share real stories, engage in meaningful dialogue, and build authentic connection through live events, facilitated conversations, and community gatherings. She Talks focuses on themes like vulnerability, resilience, personal growth, and empowerment.
On March 7, women from around the world come together for the She Talks Global Experience — a dynamic, high-energy day designed to inspire, connect, and elevate. This one-of-a-kind experience brings together visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers for powerful stories of impact, authentic connection, and meaningful conversations that move women forward.
TICKETS
Coronado Cays resident Dr. Julie Ducharme is the CEO and founder of She Talks and is one of this event’s speakers.

Democratic Club to host political scientist Dr. Casey Dominguez
2026-03-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Democratic Club will hold its next general meeting on Wednesday, March 11, at the Coronado Public Library’s Winn Room, featuring Dr. Casey Dominguez, PhD Department Chair and Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of San Diego, as the evening’s featured speaker. The meeting will also include the installation of the club’s newly elected officers.
Dr. Dominguez is widely recognized for her expertise in American politics, congressional elections, political parties, and campaign dynamics. Her research focuses on electoral competition, campaign finance, and the strategies political parties use to recruit candidates and shape election outcomes. Through her scholarship and public speaking, Dr. Dominguez helps audiences better understand how elections function at the local, state, and national levels and how political institutions influence voter behavior and representation.
Her presentation will offer timely insight as the nation approaches the midterm election cycle, examining how political dynamics at multiple levels of government interact and how civic engagement shapes democratic outcomes. Known for translating complex political science research into clear and engaging discussions, Dr. Dominguez is expected to provide valuable perspective for community members interested in understanding today’s political landscape.
In addition to the featured presentation, the evening will include the formal installation of the Coronado Democratic Club’s newly elected officers, signaling the start of a new chapter for the organization. The club has experienced significant growth in recent years and continues to expand its programming, civic engagement, and community involvement.
Event Details
Coronado Democratic Club General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, March 11
Location: Winn Room, Coronado Public Library
Doors Open: 6 pm
Social: 6–6:30 pm
Program: 6:30–8 pm
For more information about the Coronado Democratic Club and its programs, please visit www.coronadodemocrats.com.

Armchair Travel: "Birds & Wildlife, My Trip through Rajasthan, India"
2026-03-17 18:30 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The John D. Spreckels Center invites the community to an evening of adventure with the next Armchair Travel presentation, “Birds & Wildlife: My Trip through Rajasthan, India,” on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 pm. Guest speaker Rustom Jamadar will share highlights from his January 2025 journey through India’s desert regions in pursuit of birds, wildlife, and culture.
Through stunning photographs and personal stories, Jamadar will guide guests through the landscapes of Rajasthan, offering a glimpse into the region’s remarkable wildlife and rich cultural heritage. It’s sure to be an engaging evening of travel to this beautiful and exotic desert destination — no passport required.
Light bites will be served beginning at 6 pm, with the presentation starting at 6:30 pm.
Tickets:

$7 for senior residents
$9 for general admission

To register, visit www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the John D. Spreckels Center at 1019 Seventh Street.

SDSU Professor Dr. Brian Adams to speak on local elections at Coronado Democratic Club meeting
2026-04-11 10:30 - 12:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Democratic Club will host Dr. Brian Adams, Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University, as its featured speaker on Saturday, April 11, at the Coronado Public Library’s Winn Room.
Dr. Adams specializes in the study of local politics, with research examining voter behavior, campaign finance, and electoral dynamics in city council and school board elections. His work explores how candidates communicate with voters, the role of ballot cues, and the factors that influence decision-making in local contests.
His presentation will focus on how local campaigns take shape, including the importance of early engagement, fundraising, and voter outreach. As communities begin looking ahead to the upcoming midterm cycle, the discussion will provide perspective on how local races develop and why early activity can play a decisive role.
Local elections, while often less visible than state or national contests, have a direct impact on schools, governance, and community priorities. Dr. Adams’ talk will offer insight into how these elections function and what influences outcomes at the local level.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.
Timing:

10:30 AM – Social
11:00 AM – Program Begins
12:30 PM – Program Concludes

For additional information, please contact the Coronado Democratic Club.

Building and Maintaining Strong Bones, A free community presentation
2026-04-16 14:00 - 15:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The John D. Spreckels Center is pleased to host an upcoming health presentation in partnership with Sharp Coronado Hospital on Thursday, April 16 from 2 to 3 pm at the John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street.
This free presentation is open to the public and offers valuable insights into maintaining strong, healthy bones as you age.
During this session, attendees will hear from the Sharp Coronado Manager of Radiology, the Manager of the Sewall Healthy Living Center, and other knowledgeable experts.
The presentation will cover:

Practical tips for maintaining bone strength
Strategies for preventing osteoporosis
Ways to stay active and independent
The importance of bone health screenings, including DEXA scans available at Sharp Coronado
Supportive services designed to promote long-term wellness

Whether you’re looking to stay proactive about your health or learn more about bone care, this informative session is a great opportunity to connect with experts and gain useful knowledge.
For more information or to register go to coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343 or stop by 1019 Seventh Street.

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.
LEARN MORE HERE:
Wine & Lecture: San Diego’s South Bay Railroads

Armchair Travel - On Two Feet & Three Wheels: Travel Adventures Overcoming Age & Disability
2026-04-21 18:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Courtesy image (Spreckels Center)
The John D. Spreckels Center invites the community to its monthly Armchair Travel program on April 21, featuring an inspiring presentation: On Two Feet & Three Wheels: Travel Adventures Overcoming Age & Disability. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Local author Cary Lowe, joined by his wife Trish Butler, will share stories from their remarkable journeys across the United States and abroad. Traveling by planes, trains, ships, buses, and cars, the pair have embraced adventure while navigating age and physical challenges — proving that limitations don’t have to stop exploration.
Cary’s talk offers encouragement and insight for older adults and individuals with disabilities who may feel hesitant about travel, delivering a powerful message: it’s never too late to keep moving forward.
Snacks will be provided. Admission is $7 for resident seniors and $9 general admission. To register, visit www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the Spreckels Center at 1019 Seventh Street.

Image by Julita from Pixabay

The Golden Hour: Responding to Strokes
2026-05-21 14:00 - 15:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Learn how to recognize the early signs of stroke and take immediate, lifesaving action at The Golden Hour: Responding to Strokes, held at the John D. Spreckels Center in partnership with Sharp Coronado Hospital.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the primary cause of serious, long-term disability in adults in the United States. Acting quickly is critical and understanding the warning signs can make all the difference.
Hear from Sharp Coronado Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer and Stroke Program Manager as they share expert guidance on what to look for and how to respond in an emergency. Emergency department nurses will also be on-site offering free blood pressure screenings.
This annual presentation offers practical information that could help save a life.
For more information or to register go to www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop and visit at 1019 Seventh Street.

Brains and AI: The Future of Education and Learning
2026-06-10 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
On Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 pm, join the Coronado Public Library as we welcome UCSD’s Dr. Terrance Sejnowski who will share insights into the future impacts of AI on education and learning. Classrooms, teachers, lessons, homework, reading, writing, and arithmetic look the same today as they did when we were children, what will the future bring to education? How will artificial intelligence (AI) and personal social robots shape the next generation? This lecture is based his personal experiences with “Learning How to Learn,” a wildly popular Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), with 6 million viewers in 200 countries, his insights from how brains learn, and the recent developments in AI described in his book ChatGPT and the Future of AI. This free lecture is open to all.
Terry Sejnowski received his Ph.D. in physics from Princeton University. He was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School before joining the faculty at Johns Hopkins, where he was a Professor of Biophysics. He currently holds the Francis Crick Chair at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies and is a Distinguished Professor of Biology and Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, San Diego, where he is co-director of the Institute for Neural Computation. He also is the founding editor-in-chief of Neural Computation and is currently President of the Neural Information Processing Systems Foundation Board. In 1992, Sejnowski co-authored The Computational Brain with Patricia Churchland and in 2002 the book Liars, Lovers, and Heroes; What the New Brain Science Reveals About How We Become Who We Are with Steven R. Quartz. His book, The Deep Learning Revolution, was published by the MIT Press in 2018.

Celebrating Independence Day with Richard Lederer
2026-06-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
On Tuesday, June 23 at 11 am, San Diego legend Richard Lederer will be serving up his trademark wit and wisdom in a special performance at the Coronado Public Library. This year, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s birth certificate and mission statement. Union Tribune columnist and International Punster of the Year, Richard Lederer will talk about the significance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.
With more than 60 books to his name, including the exceptional Anguished English series, Dr. Lederer has a unique ability to make language both enlightening and fun. Dr. Lederer is also the founding co-host of the popular KPBS program, “A Way With Words.” A recipient of the prestigious Toastmasters International Golden Gavel award, Dr. Lederer will be sure to leave you laughing and learning. This event is free to attend thanks to the support of the Friends of the Coronado Public Library and the City of Coronado. Head to cplevents.org for more information.

San Diego Scam Jam: Building your fraud-prevention toolkit
2026-06-26 14:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This free informative presentation is designed to help you stay safe, prepared and empowered.

Learn how to spot, avoid, and respond to scams with confidence. This engaging presentation explores the tactics scammers use to create urgency and build trust while providing practical strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones. Through real-life examples and hands-on scam spotting exercise, you’ll build a fraud prevention toolkit and learn where to turn for reporting, recovery, and support. Presented by San Diego County Aging & Independence Services.
To reserve your spot today, register online at www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the John D. Spreckels Center at 1019 Seventh Street.

Spice It Up, Coronado!: Stories and lore on honey
2026-06-26 15:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Golden, sweet, and treasured for thousands of years, honey has flavored feasts, medicines, celebrations, and legends around the world. Storyteller Marilyn McPhie, an enthusiastic participant in the “Spice It Up, Coronado” program, will share the folklore, history, and delightful lore surrounding honey — from sacred honey cakes and ancient remedies to tales of abundance, sweetness, and temptation.
Note: There is no featured sample spice for the month of June. We will be meeting in person in the Winn Room.
Registration is not required.

Marilyn McPhile is the President, Storytellers of San Diego, www.storytellersofsandiego.org
ORACLE Award, National Storytelling Network, 2022
TEDx talk: “Storytelling: Do Try This At Home”
Miramar College, Child Development Advisory Committee
Global Neighborhood Project, Board of Global Advisors

See photographs and recipes from past Spice It Up, Coronado! HERE, then click on Open Access.

Disclaimer(s)

Free And Open

Project Heartbeat CPR & First Aid Training
2026-07-10 11:30 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This free informative presentation is designed to help you stay safe, prepared and empowered.

Gain valuable lifesaving knowledge or refresh your knowledge in the free AED and Hands-Only CPR training. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest, use an automated external defibrillator (AED) and perform hands-only CPR. While a certificate is not provided, this class offers essential skills that can help save a life.
To reserve your spot today, register online at www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the John D. Spreckels Center at 1019 Seventh Street.

Descendants of Early San Diego lecture and genealogy workshop
2026-08-12 11:00 - 12:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
What does your family history reveal? Join the Descendants of Early San Diego (DESD) where we will learn about solving the mysteries of your family tree. We will hear about the remarkable stories of DESD members who are examples of how modern genealogy tools can rewrite what we thought we knew about our own origins. Then, take part in an interactive workshop with practical guidance on genealogy resources, DNA testing basics, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to get what you need to start exploring your own family story.

Shakespearean dramaturgy in action
2026-08-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Dramaturgy is the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation. Dr. Gideon Rappaport, retired teacher and active dramaturge, who has spent over 45 years teaching Shakespeare, will explain how a dramaturge helps to improve the quality of the productions of Shakespeare’s plays for the benefit of the audience.

We Must All Hang Together: How Revolutionary Americans imagined the United States into being
2026-08-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
During the American Revolution, Americans were not only fighting for independence. They were also trying to imagine what their new nation would look like. Revolutionary leaders such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington helped promote powerful visual symbols — from flags and seals to allegorical figures like Liberty — that expressed the ideals of the emerging United States and helped unite a diverse population around a shared identity. At the same time, writers such as the enslaved poet Phillis Wheatley and radical voices like Abigail Adams used words and imagery to challenge Americans to think about who should be included in this new nation. This talk explores how a wide range of Americans helped create the symbols and ideas that allowed people to imagine — and ultimately bring into being — the United States.

Edward J. Blum is a professor of nineteenth-century United States History in the History Department at San Diego State University. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky. His research, writing, and teaching involve politics, constitutionalism, war, society, and culture in the United States from the founding of the nation through the era of the Civil War. He has particular interests in how numerical information, data, demography, statistics, and the Census play roles in shaping the course of United States history.
Professor Blum is committed to both top-notch scholarship and reaching out to the broader public. He is the author and co-author of several books including War is All Hell: The Nature of Evil and the Civil War (2021), Reforging the White Republic: Race, Religion, and American Nationalism, 1865-1898 (2005; reissued 2015), W. E. B. Du Bois, American Prophet (2007), and The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Saga of Race in America (2012). For these, he has won the C. Vann Woodward Prize from the Southern Historical Association, the Peter Seaborg Award for Civil War Scholarship, the Gustave O. Arlt Award in the Humanities, and the John T. Hubbell Prize for best article published in Civil War History in 2015.
Publicly, Blum has authored pieces for the New York Times, CNN, the Atlantic Monthly, Newsweek, and many other outlets. He is also the Project Director for the American Revolution and Constitution History Project at SDSU, which looks to energize civic and patriotic reflection in San Diego.
