“Can we be serious!” That’s me, trying to get a shot of Allison (“Allie”) Demers, 22-year-old stage actress, singer, composer, veteran of acting school, recipient of an MFA degree in musical theater from Indiana University, …
December 22, 2021
Coronado News & Stories
Cinderella at the shoe store
California Pepper Tree sprouts Tiny Town in Coronado
I’ve always been a tad cynical about anything cute. Think portraits of children with giant Disney eyes. But I do have chinks in my armor. Here’s one: ambling down C street in Coronado t’other day, …
December 8, 2021
Village Pizzeria value in Coronado
Unexpected pleasure! Here, in the midst of Coronado’s Golden Quarter-Mile, is one of the secret bargains of the Sceptered City. I come across it as I’m loping north on the western side of Orange Avenue. …
Last night at the Coronado’s Bistro d’Asia
It’s the evening of September 8 at Coronado’s Bistro d’Asia; everybody’s happy, in a gallows good-humored sort of way. Like passengers appreciating the band playing on the Titanic. And as the evening sky turns cerulean, …
September 15, 2021
Coronado’s Crown Manor mansion: designed by Marston House architects Irving Gill and William S. Hebbard
Crown Manor, the palatial 24,000-square-foot mansion at 1015 Ocean Boulevard in Coronado, is billed in its Zillow listing as “the most iconic estate in Southern California.” Originally built in 1902, the home was designed by …
July 14, 2021
Tortillagate debate at Coronado High School
“Storm in a teacup!” says my friend Eric. It’s a quiet Saturday evening. Noisiest things around are the crows. We’re talking — of course — about the flying tortilla incident a couple of weeks ago. …
July 7, 2021
Two F-18 Hornets: from Top Gun to tin can
Coronado: you’d think we’d be pretty jaded when it comes to Top Gun planes thundering overhead in this town. Happens every day, right? Especially when a carrier’s returning from a WestPac. And yet I can’t …
June 23, 2021
Feast and Fareway: public golf course with sliders
“This is our sport,” says Annie, “and don’t you Sassenachs forget it.” Did I mention? My friend Annie is Scottish. “Sassenachs” (“Saxons”) basically means anyone who’s not Scottish. We’re standing at the entrance to the …
The problem with Coronado’s 4x4 accelerated learning
Real estate investor and father Steve Rauber is trying to explain why he’s fighting his school district (Coronado)’s plans to make up for covid by squeezing two years of education into one. “The 4x4 [plan] …
May 12, 2021
Pepper tree fight spreads beyond Kensington
In the past two months, the city has cut down four of Kensington's historic pepper trees that are as old as the subdivision itself. Since there are only about 32 left, neighbors wonder where will …
March 30, 2021
Tortilla soup for the soul
I used to have a conscience about this: eating at a place that I knew was kind of working the system. I felt, ‘What about all the others who are staying closed down, playing by …
Gruesome Newsom
She’s standing on the street corner at Isabella and Orange in downtown Coronado. It’s a sunny morning. Helen Locker’s dressed in red, white, and blue — flag cap, flag top, red sweater, and she’s holding …
January 6, 2021
The history of the San Diego Union’s James MacMullen and his Coronado home
The majestic MacMullen Home at 382 Glorietta Boulevard is the first building visitors to Coronado encounter when crossing the Bay bridge from downtown San Diego. Built in 1914, the home was first occupied by James …
November 19, 2020
Shark Bait Mamas: synch or swim
Just up from the shipwreck, the Shark Bait Mamas are counting down to the music they use to, uh, swim to. Dani Grady leans over and switches on a recorder. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …
November 18, 2020
Seen these weird lights on the Coronado bridge?
As the Port of San Diego has moved forward with its San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge Lighting Project, the vision for lighting up the bridge is coming more into focus. For one week which started Sunday, …
November 16, 2020
The Parakeet Cafe lands in Coronado
It’s green, with golden wounds spilling poached yolks down over roasted, herbed tomato halves and onto a huge side of toasted sourdough bread. You think Croque Madame. I have to ask. “What is this again?” …
What's an anti-Trump sign when you've been shot on Orange Avenue?
"Racism Lives Here,” said the sign someone planted in Jacob’s Coronado garden (He asks for first name only). It was likely picked out because he was flying a Trump flag, a yellow “Don’t Tread On …
November 9, 2020
Fashion blogger Erin Miller: Boho, chic, and edgy
Fashion blogger Erin Miller may not be native to San Diego, but since her move from Iowa two years ago, she has managed to grow her online following here in Southern California significantly. Now, many …
October 23, 2020
Fire rings out in Oceanside – for good?
Beach fire rings are a beloved beach tradition for families and youth groups to roast marshmallows and tell stories. Or are they an attractive nuisance drawing in transient drunks who fight and make late night …
September 15, 2020
Sunny and money on the Hotel Del’s Sun Deck
I’m crazily tempted. Me, eating at the Del? Idea has “disaster” written all over it. Except they’ve just opened their completely revamped sun deck. Plus I have two beautiful women with me, expecting me to …