Coronado Times

History of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Lecture
2025-08-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Once home to the notorious Stingaree district, San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter has transformed from a rowdy red-light zone into a vibrant, historic hub of culture, architecture, and commerce. Join the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation as they trace the area’s evolution—from its Wild West beginnings and waterfront vice to its Victorian revival and present-day status as a National Historic District. Discover the stories behind the brick sidewalks, gas lamps, and preserved buildings that now shape one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.

The Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation (GQHF) is dedicated to preserving the architecture, culture and history of the Gaslamp Quarter, a 16 ½-block area designated as a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979.
Through museum exhibits, tours, festivals and educational programs for children and adults, the GQHF opens a window to the past by depicting the historical development of downtown San Diego since 1850.
The Foundation operates from the oldest standing residence in the Gaslamp Quarter, the Davis-Horton House Museum, a repository of artifacts, photos and archives that we preserve for residents and visitors from around the world to enjoy.
Founded in 1981 as a nonprofit corporation and recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt entity, the Foundation is led by an active Board of Directors that provides vision and leadership, sets policy and oversees the organization’s financial health. A professional staff led by an Executive Director carries out board policies and manages the day-to-day operations of the Foundation and the Museum.

Wine & Lecture: It's Not Your Grandfather's AI
2025-08-21 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
CORRECTION: This listing was incorrectly put on the calendar for Aug. 28. We apologize for the error. The event took place on Aug. 21.

Join us for our first Wine & Lecture of the season! The Coronado Historical Association will host long-time Coronado resident Captain George Galdorisi (U.S. Navy – retired), who will talk about AI-technologies and their impact on our daily lives.
Have you ever wondered about how we arrived where we are with AI today? It goes back further than most people think. Join us Thursday, August 21 at 5:30 pm.
Tickets are available now
Member ($15 each)
Non-Member ($20 each)
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.
About George Galdorisi

Captain George Galdorisi (U.S. Navy – retired) is a career naval aviator and national security professional. During his 30-year career, he had four tours in command and served as a carrier strike group chief of staff. Additionally, he led the U.S. delegation for military-to-military talks with the Chinese Navy. He is Director of Strategic Assessments and Technical Futures at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific.
He is the author of seventeen books, including four consecutive New York Times bestsellers. He is co-editor of the U.S. Naval Institute book: AI At War: How Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Are Changing Naval Warfare. His most recent book is Algorithms and Armageddon: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Future Wars. His most recent novel, Fire and Ice, is eerily prescient, as it foresaw Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Who's Afraid of Intelligent Tools?: Autonomous Systems, Guardian Angel Systems, and the Dangers of Cognitive Offloading
2025-08-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
As artificial intelligence and autonomous systems increasingly permeate our daily lives, we face new questions about trust, dependence, and the erosion of critical thinking. University of San Diego’s Dr. Darby Vickers explores the the psychological and ethical consequences of offloading human judgment to machines.

Back to School: Stress Management Presentation for Parents
2025-09-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Coronado Community Center, 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The back-to-school season can be just as stressful for parents as it is for kids. From new routines and earlier bedtimes to homework and creating distraction-free study spaces, the transition can feel overwhelming.
To help parents navigate this busy time, Sharp Coronado Hospital will present a practical guide to managing back-to-school stress on Thursday, September 11, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center.
As a bonus, children ages 5–12 can enjoy supervised activities in a separate community center classroom from 4:45–6:15 p.m., giving parents the chance to fully focus on the presentation.
Advance registration is required (Presentation #4533) at coronado.ca.us or at 619-522-7342. Direct Link: bit.ly/SharpParentEvent

Armchair Travel: Journey Through the Canadian Rockies
2025-09-17 18:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
September’s Armchair Travel will be held on Wednesday, September 17. Presented by Stan Thorne and Brenda Jones, the program will take you on a breathtaking journey through the Canadian Rockies aboard the luxurious and world-famous Rocky Mountaineer.
Sit back and enjoy a scenic excursion featuring towering peaks, turquoise lakes, and cascading waterfalls—all from the comfort of the John D. Spreckels Center. Learn about the region’s rich history, incredible wildlife, and the unforgettable experience of traveling by rail with world-class amenities. This is truly a “Bucket List” adventure you won’t want to miss.
Join us at the John D. Spreckels Center. 1019 Seventh Street. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. Pricing varies based on residency and senior discount.
Register today at coronado.ca.us/civicrec or call 619-522-7343.

Wine & Lecture: Navy Nurse Corps
2025-09-18 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association welcomes Captain Nancy Owen (ret.) for the next installment of the Fall 2025 Wine & Lecture Series. Captain Owen will be speaking on the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps.
Nurses have served in the Navy since 1908 in a variety of duty stations, stateside and overseas, on board hospital ships, aircraft carriers, as flight nurses, on rapidly deployable medical and surgical teams, in fleet hospitals, in the White House, and even in Yosemite National Park. Captain Owen will share experiences from her surprise and unique deployment to Zagreb, Croatia, as part of Fleet Hospital SIX in support of Operation Provide Promise in 1994.
Join us on Thursday, September 18, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now
Member ($15.00 each)
Non-Member ($20.00 each)
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.

About the Speaker:
Captain Nancy Owen received her Diploma in Nursing from Saint Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1972. In 1982 she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of San Diego, and in 1990 a Master of Science Degree in Critical Care Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.
She joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps in 1972 during the Vietnam era and served for nearly twenty-five years in a variety of assignments stateside and overseas including a tour at the former U.S. Naval Hospital, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. From March to August 1994, Captain Owen served as Director, Nursing Services, U.S. Fleet Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia, a 60 bed tent hospital on the tarmac of the Zagreb airport. She was one of 150 medical personnel from Fleet Hospital SIX who deployed in March 1994 in support of OPERATION PROVIDE PROMISE and over 40,000 United Nations Protection Forces in the former Republic of Yugoslavia.
Captain Owen retired from the U.S. Navy in September 1997. Her last duty station was Naval Medical Center San Diego, where she served as Special Assistant to the Commander for Patient Relations, responsible for responding to Congressional inquiries and patient letters of concern and appreciation.
Captain Owen is a longtime member of and served as President of the Navy Nurse Corps Association of Southern California from 2000-2009. She has been the editor of their newsletter, The Oakleaf, for the past 15 years. She is a member and current secretary of the California Veterans Home, Chula Vista Support Foundation, Charter Member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, life member of the Military Officer’s Association of America, and life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2422.
She is married to Commander Wayne Owen, Supply Corps, USN (retired). They have an adult son, Paul.

Join Bridge & Bay Garden Club for a lecture on home landscaping design
2025-09-22 09:30 | Coronado Library Winn Room, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join the Bridge & Bay Garden Club as Kris Madsen from Terra Bella Nursery talks about landscaping ideas for your home.

Social time will begin at 9:15 am with the program to follow at 9:30 am.

¡Guerra! The People and Places of the US-Mexico War in San Diego Lecture
2025-09-23 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
In December 1846, the largest battle of the US-Mexico War in California occurred about 30 miles north of Old Town, in the San Pasqual Valley near today’s San Diego Zoo Safari Park. American and Mexican forces struggled for control of Alta California and the battle paved the way to the eventual Mexican surrender near Los Angeles, a month later. As part of the broader war from 1846 to 1848, the action near San Diego secured control of Upper California for the United States and ensured its inclusion as part of the land ceded to the United States by Mexico in 1848 under the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. 175 years ago, in 1850, California became the 31st state.

David Miller received his PhD from the University of California, San Diego in 2007. His research focus is the social and cultural history of the nineteenth-century United States.
David has been with USD since 2005, offering a range of upper and lower-division courses including The Civil War and Reconstruction, The Civil War and Reconstruction in Popular Culture, US Immigration History, California History, A History of Race and San Diego, US History to 1877, and Race and Ethnicity in the American Experience. Miller received the 2017 Faculty Award for Exceptional Teaching, the 2019 Center for Educational Excellence “Best Attendance” award, and in 2020 the Center for Catholic Thought and Culture travel grant to explore the history of immigration in San Francisco and New York City from a Catholic perspective. He is the History Department’s internship program coordinator.
David also serves as the co-editor of The Journal of San Diego History, a joint venture with the San Diego History Center, and can be found on any given day out and about exploring our city.

Wine & Lecture: Zaragoza Tijuana
2025-10-16 17:30 - 19:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join the Coronado Historical Association for a presentation exploring the hidden history and little-known stories of Tijuana. As part of the Fall 2025 Wine & Lecture Series, CHA welcomes Professors César Martín Acosta García, Luis Carlos López, and Diego Silverio Saavedra Lara, all Faculty Members of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Autonomous University of Baja California. Their program, Zaragoza Tijuana, offers a compelling look at the city’s historic downtown and its lasting impact on the cultural identity and historical evolution of the U.S.-Mexico border region.
Join us on Thursday, October 16, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now
Member ($15.00 each)
Non-Member ($20.00 each)
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.

AI in Higher Education: Navigating Our Future with Critical, Ethical, and Human-Centered AI Literacy
2025-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more prominent in higher education, it’s essential to develop AI literacy, which is the ability to understand, use, monitor, and critically reflect on AI applications. This skill isn’t just a technical one; it’s a vital extension of the critical thinking we already teach, like evaluating information and understanding authority.
This presentation will take a compassionate and human-centered approach, moving past “AI shaming” to encourage thoughtful engagement with these new tools. The discussion will cover the critical ethical and environmental issues tied to AI, including bias and inequality, social justice, concerns about privacy and data use, and touch on the environmental impact of AI technologies.
The session will also present a framework for how higher ed can incorporate these competencies into curricula, showing how librarians and educators are well-equipped to guide these conversations. By linking AI literacy to established information literacy principles, we help our campus communities navigate the intricate world of AI ethically, responsibly, and effectively.
About the Speakers:
Lucy Campbell (MLIS) is a Senior Assistant Librarian at SDSU, serving as Electronic and Continuing Resources Librarian since 2023. With over 15 years experience as an academic librarian, she has a broad research portfolio that includes work in UX, discovery systems, digital resource management, and qualitative methods including metadata practices, and student research engagement.
Keven Jeffery (MLIS) is a Librarian at SDSU, serving as Digital Technologies Librarian since 2007. Keven brings technical and infrastructure capability, particularly in programming, digital systems, API integrations, and technological innovation. His responsibilities include investigating and implementing emerging digital technologies and applications for the university library.
Sarah Tribelhorn (MS, MMLIS), is a Senior Assistant Librarian at SDSU, serving as the Sciences and Sustainability Librarian since 2022. Sarah has been instrumental in leading sustainability initiatives in the University Library, and increased campus and community engagement in sustainability projects, AI literacy, and citizen science programming

Eco-Talk: Earth-Friendly Landscaping
2025-10-22 17:30 - 19:30 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join Emerald Keepers for a panel conversation about earth-friendly landscaping.
Learn how to create a sustainable garden with native and water-wise plants. A panel of experts, moderated by Leslie Crawford, will discuss the benefits of using native plants, garden design styles and inspiration, and strategies for rainwater capture and retention.
Time will be allotted for questions.
The free event will include light appetizers, beer and wine.
Register here.
Contact events@emeraldkeepers.org if you have questions or need more information.

Behind the Headlines with Andrew Keatts at Coronado Democratic Club meeting
2025-10-22 18:00 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Democratic Club invites the community to its October evening meeting featuring Andrew Keatts, one of San Diego’s most respected journalists.
Keatts has been a distinguished voice in San Diego journalism for 15 years. He began
his career with The Daily Transcript, later became an investigative reporter and
managing editor at Voice of San Diego, and most recently co-founded Axios San Diego.
In 2018, he was named Journalist of the Year by the San Diego Society of
Professional Journalists. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, he lives in Golden Hill
with his wife and two young sons.
Keatts will share insights from his years covering San Diego’s civic life and discuss
stories that highlight collaboration, progress, and optimism about the region’s future.
Doors open at 5:30 PM for a half-hour social; program begins at 6 PM.

Bridge & Bay Garden Club: Low and Behold
2025-10-27 09:15 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Moving beyond tall, imposing centerpieces, the BBGC will demonstrate how to design eye-level and below florals to enhance any tablescape. Come watch BBGC members Nancy Baldwin and June Meehan show off their floral skills.
Social time will begin at 9:15 am and the program will follow at 9:30 am.

Exhibit Opening Reception & Lecture: Bitter Sweet with Kitty Morse
2025-11-06 17:30 - 19:00 | CA
CHA is proud to announce the opening of its newest WWII exhibit. In honor of this exhibit, join us Thursday, November 6, for an exhibit opening reception and lecture featuring author Kitty Morse. Kitty will discuss her new book, Bitter Sweet: A Wartime Journal and Heirloom Recipes from Occupied France. This book was written after she discovered her great-grandfather’s journal chronicling the advance of the Germans in Le Grand Est (Alsace-Lorraine) between April and December 1940, and two notebooks filled with recipes written in her great-grandmother’s hand in a suitcase left to her by her mother. Bitter Sweet takes place in and around her mother’s birthplace, Châlons-sur-Marne (now Châlons-en-Champagne). Blanche Lévy-Neymarck, Morse’s maternal great-grandmother, died at Auschwitz in 1944 along with one of her daughters and her son-in-law. Blanche’s husband Prosper, an army surgeon in WWI, was twice the recipient of the Légion d’Honneur. This book is not just the story of a family torn apart by war, but it also features 70 unique recipes that show the rich history of a family.
On Thursday, November 6, a wine & cheese reception at 5:30 pm will be followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now
Member ($15.00 each)
Non-Member ($20.00 each)
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.

About the Speaker: Award-winning author Kitty Morse was born in Casablanca, Morocco, to a French mother and a British father. She emigrated to the United States at the age of 17. While studying for her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Kitty catered Moroccan diffas, or banquets, and went on to teach the intricacies of Moroccan cuisine in cooking schools and department stores nationwide. In June 2002, she conducted a Culinary Concert on Moroccan culture and cuisine hosted by Julia Child, as a benefit for the Harry Bell Foundation of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Kitty’s books have been translated into French, German, Polish, and Czech. In 1984 (and for the next 25 years) she initiated annual gastronomic tours to Morocco that included culinary demonstrations in her family home, a Moorish riad south of Casablanca. Her monthly e-newsletter, The Kasbah Chronicles, in French and in English, is now in its 12th year of circulation.

Wine & Lecture: Historic Districts 101
2025-11-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Coronado Historical Association, 1100 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
What makes a neighborhood historic—and why does it matter?
Join us for an engaging evening exploring the ins and outs of historic districts. From quaint main streets to architecturally significant neighborhoods, historic districts help communities preserve character, foster civic pride, and encourage thoughtful stewardship through tools like the Mills Act and the California Historical Building Code.
This lecture will also highlight Coronado’s own historic preservation program, including how to create historic districts, how property owners can benefit from designation, and what recent updates to the municipal code mean for Coronado’s future. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the steps involved in creating a historic district in their own neighborhood.
Whether you’re a homeowner, longtime resident, preservation enthusiast, or simply curious about how communities protect their past, this talk will offer practical insights and local perspective.
Join us on Thursday, November 13, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available now
Member ($15.00 each)
Non-Member ($20.00 each)
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.

Crown Garden Club meeting
2025-11-20 09:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Crown Garden Club’s general meeting is on Thursday, November 20, in the Winn Room at the Coronado Public Library.
The social hour is at 9:30 am, the meeting begins at 10 am, and the Guest Speaker is at 10:30 am.
The Club’s November speaker is floral designer Kathy Taylor de Murillo who will be sharing ideas for holiday floral design. Kathy is a lifelong Southern California girl who moved to San Diego 40 years ago. She joined Bonita Valley Garden Club and began taking floral design classes. She has taught floral design classes for the San Diego Floral Association and has made floral demonstrations at schools, libraries, and garden clubs around the county. A graduate of the rigorous Flower Show Judges School, Kathy has judged numerous flower shows throughout the state including the Coronado Flower Show.
The meeting is open to the public.

Coping with grief during the holidays, in-person virtual presentation
2025-11-20 14:00 - 15:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The John D. Spreckels Center is partnering with Sharp Coronado Hospital to offer a free, live virtual presentation: Coping with Grief During the Holidays.
Grief can feel especially heavy during the holiday season. This compassionate discussion, led by experienced medical professionals from Sharp Coronado Hospital, will explore healthy ways to understand, navigate, and cope with loss during this time of year.
This program is part of Sharp Coronado Hospital’s ongoing series of quality health presentations, created in response to community feedback.
To register or learn more, visit www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the Spreckels Center in person.

Coronado Democratic Club November general meeting featuring Dr. Allison Gill
2025-11-22 10:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Democratic Club welcomes members and guests to its November general meeting on Saturday, November 22, in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library. Doors open at 10:30 am for a brief social, and the program will begin at 11 am.
We are pleased to feature Dr. Allison Gill as our guest speaker. A Navy Veteran, comedian, and the award-winning podcaster behind the popular MSW Media network, Dr. Gill brings sharp insight and engaging commentary to today’s political landscape. Known by many through her online presence as “Mueller, She Wrote,” she blends humor, depth, and clarity in a way that resonates with audiences nationwide.
About the Speaker
Dr. Gill served in the U.S. Navy and later became known for her advocacy work, including her appearance in the Oscar-nominated documentary The Invisible War, which helped spotlight the issue of military sexual trauma. She went on to earn her doctorate and has been a strong national voice on government accountability, public service, and veterans’ issues.
Following her federal service, Dr. Gill launched the MSW Media podcast network, which now produces several award-winning shows focused on news, politics, and justice. Her work has established her as a trusted commentator with a uniquely compelling blend of expertise and humor.
The Coronado Democratic Club is proud to host Dr. Gill for what promises to be an insightful and energizing program.

Edible Landscapes with Chuck McClung
2025-11-24 09:30 | Winn Room, Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Bridge and Bay Garden Club presents Chuck McClung speaking on edible landscapes. Chuck is a talented botanist and author. Six of his books will be given away.

Inside the Hanoi Hilton: The Story of POW Doug Hegdahl
2025-12-03 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Public Library and Historical Association invites you to a virtual event on Wednesday, Dec. 3 as Marc Leepson, the author of the best-selling book, The Unlikely War Hero: A Vietnam War POW’s Story of Courage and Resilience in the Hanoi Hilton, discusses the amazing Vietnam War story of Doug Hegdahl, the youngest and lowest-ranking POW captured in North Vietnam and held in Hanoi.
This event will take place via Zoom. Register through the “Register Now” button below to receive the Zoom link for this event.
Register Now
“What a strange, fascinating, and ultimately powerful account of one man’s endurance of life as a POW during the American war in Vietnam . . . This book, I believe, will stand the test of time as one of the finest nonfiction narratives to emerge from the Vietnam War.” —Tim O’Brien, author of The Things They Carried

Journalist and historian Marc Leepson is the author of eleven books, including four biographies: What So Proudly We Hailed: Francis Scott Key, A Life; Lafayette: Idealist General; The Ballad of the Green Beret; and The Unlikely War Hero. A former staff writer for Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., he written for many newspapers and magazines, and the Encyclopedia Britannic, and has been interviewed many times on radio and television, including on The Today Show, Discovery Channel, The History Channel, All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and The BBC NewsHour. He is Senior Writer, Arts Editor and columnist for The VVA Veteran, the magazine published by Vietnam Veterans of America, and taught U.S. history at Laurel Ridge Community College in Warrenton, Va. from 2008-15.
Marc Leepson graduated from George Washington University in 1967. After serving in the U.S. Army from 1967-69, including a year in the Vietnam War, he received his honorable discharge and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in history from George Washington in 1971. He lives in Loudoun County, Virginia.

Armchair Travel: Bill Altaffer, “The World’s Most Traveled Person”
2025-12-10 18:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
This month’s Armchair Travel presentation on Wednesday, Dec. 10, features renowned world explorer Bill Altaffer, internationally known as “The World’s Most Traveled Person.” Bill will share insights and stories from his third journey to Albania since the country’s transition to democracy.
Albania has become an increasingly popular destination, appreciated for its welcoming atmosphere, dramatic landscapes, and rich, complex history. Travelers can explore striking castles, traditional towns, and significant archaeological sites, along with a coastline that is drawing attention as an emerging Mediterranean getaway.
Bill will also introduce us to Kosovo, Albania’s neighboring independent state, celebrated for its mountain scenery, natural beauty, and vibrant cultural life.
This monthly Armchair Travel program offers an engaging evening of exploration and storytelling — perfect for anyone interested in discovering new cultures and destinations. Light bites provided. Doors open at 6 pm and the presentation begins at 6:30.
The presentation takes place at the John D. Spreckels Center, located at 1019 Seventh Street. To register or learn more, visit www.coronado.ca.us/civicrec, call 619-522-7343, or stop by the Spreckels Center in person.

CHS interns: America250 Project presentations
2025-12-17 15:00 - 16:00 | 1000 Orange Ave, 1000 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Join the Coronado Historical Association and the Coronado Public Library for special presentations by the fall 2025 Coronado High School interns. In celebration of America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary, the interns will share their projects, which feature interviews with members of the Coronado High School Class of 1976.
This event is free and open to the public. No RSVP required. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Wine & Lecture: El Presidio de San Diego
2025-12-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Coronado Historical Association, 1100 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The Coronado Historical Association is delighted to host noted historian, author, and SDSU lecturer Richard Carrico for the final installment of the fall 2025 Wine & Lecture Series. Mr. Carrico will be covering the buried history of San Diego’s lost city: El Presidio Real de San Diego. Established in 1769 and abandoned by 1835, El Presidio was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific coast and was the base for all the Spanish missions that spread throughout California. Come explore the history and hidden remnants of this National Historic Landmark through this fascinating lecture.
Join us Thursday, December 18, at 5:30 pm for a wine & cheese reception followed by the lecture from 6 to 7 pm.
Tickets are available – Register Now
Member: $15 each
Non-Member: $20 each
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.

About the Speaker:
Richard L. Carrico, writer and educator, is a U.S Army veteran. He is a lecturer in the Department of American Indian Studies at San Diego State University and lives in Warner Springs. He is a well-respected scholar, public speaker, and researcher who has made significant contributions to our understanding of local Native American culture.
His primary area of research is the Indian people of southern California and northern Mexico followed closely by the Spanish colonial period in San Diego County. Richard was recently presented with the prestigious Norman Neuerburg Award for Outstanding Contributions Towards the Study and Preservation of California’s Missions, Presidios, and Ranchos.
In addition to more than 30 publications in professional journals, Richard is the author of an award-winning true crime book Monsters on the Loose (2024), History of Wines and Wineries of San Diego County (2016); Ramona and other books including the revised Strangers in a Stolen Land: The Indians of San Diego County (2018).
Beyond the academic realm Richard has authored historically or archaeologically based articles for the San Diego Union, California Magazine, Ranch and Coast Magazine, San Diego Home & Garden, and other popular magazines. He also has authored stand-alone chapters in four academic books.
LEARN MORE
Archaeologist and historian uncovers the story of San Diego’s Lost City

The Hive of Five: Historical fiction author event
2026-01-08 18:30 - 19:30 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
One incredible night, five New York Times bestselling historical fiction authors.

Kate Quinn (The Astral Library), Stephanie Dray (Becoming Madam Secretary), Kristina McMorris (The Girls of Good Fortune), Allison Pataki (It Girl), and Madeline Martin (The Secret Book Society) will come together to share the research, revelations, and hidden histories that bring their novels to life, offering readers a rare glimpse into the past through their collective expertise. After their discussion, a Q&A and book signing will follow.
This event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, subject to availability. Limited preferred seating is available with purchase of the newest release of one of the authors through Adventures by the Book. Please visit https://adventuresbythebook.com/calendar-event/history-hive-1-8-26/ for more information.

Kate Quinn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction whose work spans ancient Rome, the Italian Renaissance, and most recently the 20th century with hits like The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and The Briar Club. A native of Southern California with degrees in Classical Voice from Boston University, she now lives in Maryland with her husband and rescue dogs. Her upcoming novel, The Astral Library (February 2026), offers a fantastical adventure inviting readers into a world where books become portals to new lives and limitless possibilities.

Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author known for richly researched historical novels such as The Women of Chateau Lafayette, My Dear Hamilton, and America’s First Daughter. Her award-winning work on the often-overlooked Founding Mothers has been translated into eight languages. Based in Maryland with her husband, cats, and a home full of history books, she recently released Becoming Madam Secretary, about trailblazing labor secretary Frances Perkins, and will soon publish A Founding Mother, an intimate portrait of Abigail Adams timed to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Kristina McMorris is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of ten historical works, including the million-copy bestseller Sold on a Monday and the international bestseller The Ways We Hide, a top Target pick of 2022. A recipient of more than twenty national awards and a former television host who began her career at age nine, she now divides her time between San Diego and Oregon, where she’s raising two collegiate sons. Her latest novel, The Girls of Good Fortune, explores family, identity, and buried histories tied to Portland’s mysterious Shanghai Tunnels.

Allison Pataki is a New York Times bestselling author of numerous historical novels—including Finding Margaret Fuller, The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post, and The Queen’s Fortune—as well as a memoir and children’s books, with her work translated into more than 24 languages. A former news writer and producer, she has contributed to major media outlets and appeared on national television programs. A Yale graduate and certified yoga instructor, she lives in New York with her family. Her forthcoming novel, It Girl (March 2026), chronicles the dramatic rise of America’s original “It Girl.”

Madeline Martin is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and romance, including The Booklover’s Library, The Keeper of Hidden Books, and The Librarian Spy, with her novels translated into more than 25 languages. Living in Florida with her family and two spoiled cats, she credits her love of history to her upbringing as an Army brat in Germany. Her newest release, The Secret Book Society, a USA Today bestseller, transports readers to Victorian London for a tale of a forbidden book club, dangerous secrets, and brave women defying convention.

From Plate to Page: An evening with Jessica Secrest
2026-01-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Performing Arts Center, 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Coronado Public Library, in partnership with Warwick’s Bookstore, welcomes @applesauceandadhd Jessica Secrest as she discusses her new cookbook OF COURSE IT’S GOOD! on Tuesday, January 13.
This event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Coronado Public Library and a paid ticket is required to enter. Ticket options are:

$10 entry only
$31.60 for admission for one person and one copy of OF COURSE IT’S GOOD
$39.83 for admission for two people and one copy of OF COURSE IT’S GOOD
Check-in starts/doors open at 6:15 pm. Please print out your tickets or have the QR code available on your phone.
Seating is first-come, first served.
“With Book” ticketholders will receive a paperback copy of OF COURSE IT’S GOOD at check-in.
Additional books will be available for purchase at this event.
The Performing Arts Center is directly behind the Coronado Public Library. You can view a parking map HERE. The two lots marked “school parking lots (for select events only)” will be available.
Purchase tickets online HERE.

About the Author
Jessica Secrest is a mom, home chef, and the creator of the popular social media page @applesauceandadhd.

About OF COURSE IT’S GOOD: None of the Nonsense, All of the Flavor
Prepare delicious meals with this no-frills, all-flavor recipe collection from Jessica Secrest, the wildly popular home chef known for her hostile humor and affordable recipes. Her long-awaited debut cookbook has an array of mouthwatering meals that focus on low-effort ingredients and techniques — think pre-shredded cheese, tater tots galore, and your handy-dandy slow cooker — so you’ll have an endless source of recipes to feed your family without wasting time or money.
Jessica’s signature style is present throughout each page, loudly guiding you in the kitchen and reminding you that tasty cooking doesn’t always need to be done with a smile. Recipes include:
– The BEST Baked Mac and Cheese
– Taco Potato Tot Casserole
– Egg Roll in a Bowl
– Cowboy BBQ Burgers
– Teriyaki Pork
– Fried Pickle Quesadillas
– Sloppy Joe Fries
– Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Whether you are looking to tackle weeknight dinner, Sunday breakfast, or an out-of-nowhere dessert craving, you’ll have Jessica in your corner each step of the way, aggressively reminding you that no matter what you create, there’s no doubt it’ll be good.

Sharp Coronado Hospital emergency readiness presentation
2026-01-15 14:00 - 15:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Take part in a lifesaving First Aid, CPR, and AED training presentation hosted by Sharp Coronado Hospital. This important seminar equips participants with essential skills to confidently respond to emergencies—because knowing what to do can make all the difference.
Please note that this presentation does not provide First Aid, CPR, or AED certification. The presentation will take place on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 2 to 3 pm, and is open and free to the public.
The presentation will be held at the John D. Spreckels Center, which continues its partnership with Sharp Coronado Hospital to bring quality health and medical related presentations to the community. Sharp Coronado Hospital presentations are taught by experienced medical professionals, with topics selected based on community feedback.
For more information or to register call 619-522-7343, sign up online at coronado.ca.us/civicrec or stop by the center.
Community members are encouraged to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn practical emergency response skills from trusted medical professionals.

Democratic Club meeting with guest speaker Jeremy Addis-Mills
2026-01-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Coronado Library Winn Room, 640 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Start the new year informed and empowered:
Social media training at Coronado Democratic Club’s January meeting
The Coronado Democratic Club invites like-minded individuals interested in constructive ways to make a difference to its first general meeting of 2026 on Saturday, January 17, featuring a timely and practical program on using social media as a tool for civic engagement. Doors open at 10:30 am, with the meeting running from 11 am to 12:30 pm in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library.
The featured speaker, Jeremy Addis-Mills, is the founder of Digital Impact!, a communications firm that helps organizations and individuals communicate more effectively online. His presentation, “Become a Social Media Activist,” will focus on how everyday people can use social media thoughtfully and responsibly to share information, connect with others, and make their voices heard on issues that matter to them.
Rather than focusing on politics as conflict, this training emphasizes communication, influence, and participation — offering practical guidance on crafting messages, engaging audiences, and understanding why social media has become such a powerful platform for community dialogue.
The meeting will also include the election of club officers for 2026.
Community members interested in learning how to better navigate today’s digital landscape — regardless of experience level — are encouraged to attend.

An evening with Oscar nominee and author John Sayles
2026-01-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Be one of the first to hear acclaimed filmmaker and two-time Oscar nominee John Sayles discuss his latest novel, Crucible. This newest historical novel is a complex and sweeping story about Henry Ford—the Elon Musk of his day—and his attempt to rule not only an automotive empire but the rambunctious city of Detroit. It is an epic tale ranging from the 1920s through the second World War, featuring violent labor disputes, misbegotten jungle expeditions, a tragic race riot, and the Gestapo tactics of Ford’s private army.
Sayles will be in conversation with Coronado Island Film Festival Executive Director Merridee Book, discussing the inspirations behind the book and how the novel’s characters create the tapestry of differing points of view that John Sayles has become famous for.
A book-signing will follow. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, subject to availability. Limited preferred seating is available with purchase of Crucible through Warwick’s bookstore. Please visit www.warwicks.com/sayles-2026-reserved-seat or call the store at 858-454-0347 for more information.

John Sayles is a much-celebrated film director who has made 18 movies, beginning in 1980 when his debut Return of the Secaucus Seven was released. Among the other movies he is known for directing—and often writing as well—are Lianna, Brother from Another Planet, Matewan, Eight Men Out, City of Hope, Sunshine State, Passion Fish, and Lone Star, the last two of which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay. He also has written screenplays for other directors, including the iconic 1980s horror movies The Howling and Alligator. Sayles also directed three of Bruce Springsteen’s most famed music videos for the songs Born in the USA, Glory Days and I’m on Fire.
As an author, Sayles has written numerous novels and short stories since 1975, when his first novel, Pride of the Bimbos, appeared. His second novel, Union Dues, was nominated for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Subsequent books include At the Anarchist’s Convention, Los Gusanos, Dillinger in Hollywood, A Moment in the Sun, and Yellow Earth. Sayles has been honored by, or been guest speaker for, such respected organizations as the American Historical Association, the Modern Language Association, and the American Studies Association. His screenplay for the film Sonora, released in 2021, won the Ariel Award, Mexico’s equivalent to the Oscar, for Best Adapted Screenplay. Sayles divides his time between Los Angeles and Connecticut.
About the Book
Already the gateway for illegal Canadian liquor during Prohibition, the Motor City becomes a crucible for American class conflict during the Great Depression, with an army of laid off Ford workers drifting into the ranks of the burgeoning union movement—Henry Ford’s worst nightmare. To keep the hundreds of thousands still employed by him in thrall, the man who was formerly ‘America’s favorite tycoon’ recruits black laborers migrating from the deep South to serve as ‘strike insurance’, and gives Harry Bennett, pugnacious as he is diminutive, free reign over the legion of barroom brawlers and ex-cons who make up the company’s ‘Security Department’.
The Model T mogul has also bought a sizable chunk of Brazil’s Amazonian rainforest, vowing to grow his own rubber for tires, but stubbornly refusing to include a botanist in his troop of would-be jungle tamers. As a series of biological plagues descend on the Fordlandia plantation, the racial melting pot he has created in Detroit begins to boil over, and not even the Sage of Dearborn can control the forces that have been unleashed.
Merridee Book is the CEO + Artistic Director of the Coronado Island Film Festival. Before that, she spent three years as the Vice President of Development at the San Diego International Film Festival. She has held key positions in the arts and entertainment industry, and the non-profit sector for 30 years, working with bestselling authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, major studios and record labels. These relationships culminated in producing and hosting an inspirational television program, DeeperLiving. She has held several board director positions including the Coronado School of the Arts and she currently sits on the board of the well-respected Patrons of the Prado, a non-profit that raises funds for ten beneficiaries in Balboa Park, the largest urban park in the U.S.

Armchair Travel: Boating on the Canadian Canals
2026-02-17 18:30 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
Sunset on the St. Lawrence Seaway, August 1, 2021. (The Coronado Times)
The John D. Spreckels Center invites the community to its monthly Armchair Travel presentation on Monday, February 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. This special evening program offers a fascinating journey through Canada’s iconic waterways, guided by seasoned travelers Sue Steven and her husband Craig Blasingame.
Boating on the Canadian Canals
From the comfort of your seat, follow Sue and Craig as they navigate Canada’s inland waters aboard their 24-foot trawler, traveling through the Lachine, Rideau, and Trent–Severn Canals, as well as the mighty St. Lawrence Seaway. Along the way, they share stunning visuals and firsthand stories that bring to life how these waterways shaped the history, politics, economy, and natural beauty of Ontario and Quebec. As the presenters like to say—come “lock” through with us for an evening of discovery and adventure!
Register online at ca-coronado.civicrec.com, call 619-522-7343, or visit the John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. This Armchair Travel presentation promises an enriching and entertaining escape to Canada’s waterways — no passport required.

Free Community Health Talk: Sleep & Aging
2026-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 | John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street, Coronado, CA, 92118, United States
The John D. Spreckels Center, in partnership with Sharp Coronado Hospital, invites the community to a free health education presentation on sleep and aging. Join a board-certified sleep specialist to learn how sleep changes as we get older, common sleep challenges, healthy bedtime habits, and practical strategies to improve rest and overall well-being. Designed especially for older adults, with time for questions and discussion.
Thursday, February 19, 2-3 pm
John D. Spreckels Center, 1019 Seventh Street
For more information, call 619-522-7343 or stop and visit at 1019 Seventh Street.
