The Coronado Chamber of Commerce hosted a full crowd at their annual Celebrate Coronado Community Awards on Wednesday, July 19th at the Community Center’s Nautilus Room. The event was a community-wide celebration as the Chamber honored our city, recognized local heroes and celebrated their 80th anniversary. The Chamber would like to thank all who came out to show their support for the award winners.
Guests enjoyed the fabulous view and live music by Thomas Giglio on the patio before heading inside to enjoy the Restaurant Showcase’s fabulous fare from six local chefs, beer provided by Coronado Brewing Company, coffee and donuts from Amalo Brew (the library’s personable coffee cart vendor) and a silent auction with a “Crown City” theme of locally donated items. The auction alone raised close to $3,000 for the Chamber’s Annual Business Aspire Scholarship for a graduating CHS senior.
The Restaurant Showcase was introduced by Chamber Board Member Jacques Spitzer, who introduced the participating chefs and gave each the chance to talk about their signature dish for the evening. Guests had the chance to try all the delightful dishes, like chipotle blackened swordfish by Chef Albert Serrano from Bluewater Boathouse, seafood ceviche from Chef Christopher Aguirre from the Loews’ Crown Landing, veal belly with smoked polenta foam by Chef Josh Mouzakes from the Hotel del Coronado, cold octopus, potato and shrimp salad from Chef Jorge Gonzalez of Primavera, and a Dungeness Crab pasta with lemon cream by Chef Michael Poompan of the Coronado Island Marriott. Blue Bridge Hospitality Executive Pastry Chef Lori Sayer completed the lineup with a strawberry pistachio verrine for dessert.
“We were so thrilled with the turnout at this year’s Celebrate Coronado…it was definitely our best year yet,” said Sue Gillingham, Chamber Executive Director. “It’s such a wonderful opportunity to thank our local heroes, eat delicious local dishes and celebrate the award winners.”
The award winners were presented with plaques by San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox and recognized during the celebration. Police Services Officer of the Year Chris Bellini accepted his award from Police Chief Froomin, who called his actions in helping save a suicidal young man heroic. PSO Maria Gonzalez, who shared the award with PSO Bellini, was unable to attend as she is currently attending a Police Academy in the hopes of becoming an officer. Firefighter of the Year Josh Scarboro was presented his award from Fire Chief Blood while a group of on-duty firefighters crowded in the back to watch and show their support. Brittany Hansen was chosen as Lifeguard of the Year for her contributions to the Jr. Lifeguard Program and Bill Cecil was awarded City Employee of the Year by City Manager Blair King for his work on the new John D. Spreckels Center and the Naked Warrior Statue Installation as the city’s architect.
The Chamber added a new category this year to recognize the Naval Base Coronado Firefighter of the Year. It seemed fitting as the Navy is such an integral part of life here in Coronado. NBC Commanding Officer Captain Mulvehill presented Petty Officer First Class Anthony Beck with the award for his dedication, which resulted in him acquiring an unprecedented number of certifications. He has instructed and evaluated over 300 military and civilian personnel in proper CPR techniques and lifesaving intervention.
The Chamber recognized Naval Base Coronado’s upcoming 100th Year of Service to our country and community, and was thrilled to host both Captain Mulvehill as well as the CO of the USS Coronado, Commander Larson. The City of Coronado and the local Navy League Chapter adopted the USS Coronado upon its commissioning and this marks their accomplishment of a very successful first deployment.
Two additional awards were presented, much to the surprise of their recipients. Geoff Thorne, a current Chamber Director, was given the Volunteer of the Year Award. Geoff is from Coronado and an attorney with Higgs Fletcher and Mack specializing in the employer-employee relationship. He has only been on the Chamber Board for one year, but he jumped in with both feet and goes above and beyond to help.
The annual Lewis R. Hardy Jr. award, presented each year to an individual who has made significant business and civic contributions, showing devotion to the overall quality of life in our community, was given to Bill Gise. He has always been concerned with the orderly and constructive development of commercial, professional, financial and general business interests of the city, and shown exemplary citizenship, which is exactly what this award stands for.
The Chamber also recognized their Milestone Members at the event. Celebrating 25 years of membership were the Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado Beach Resort and the Coronado Cays Yacht Club. Celebrating 30 years of membership were the Coronado Ferry Landing, the Coronado 4th of July Committee, Sharp Coronado Hospital and the Coronado Island Sinclair (formerly the Valero). McP’s Irish Pub was recognized for their 35 years of membership, and Greg McPartlin, the owner of McPs, was also the Chamber President in 1978. Last but not least, the Glorietta Bay Marina was recognized for 40 years of membership with the Chamber. The event also served as the Chamber’s induction for their new Board of Directors for the 2017-2018 term.
The Chamber would like to give a special thanks to the sponsors who made this event possible: Hotel del Coronado, CalAm Water, Crown City Photography, Coronado Eagle & Journal, Glorietta Bay Inn, Lincoln Military Housing, SDG&E and Vintage Cinema for their support. Photos of the event by Crown City Photography will be available to view on the Chamber website soon.
