Celebrating All Things Coronado & Beyond
Tijuana River Valley Needs Action and Needs It Now FLOWER SHOW CELEBRATES SPRING ON THE ISLAND
Banners on Orange Display Works of Art Soroptimist Legend’s Luncheon
Chef Jerry’s Crown Bistro Big on Taste Krowntown Makes Your Image Its Business Cover Photo: “Moon on the Rise” by Coronado’s Dan McGeorge
publisher’s note
HELLO CORONADO!
After months of brainstorming sessions, creative thinking and planning discussions, it thrills me that we finally have a beautifully produced magazine to show you. In this time of the digital age, social media and smartphones, contemporary print magazines have become a luxury. We created this magazine to encourage you to relax, with a reason to put down your phone and chill-out to “all-things Coronado and beyond”. It is an ever-changing time in our hometown, but we are in the midst of an exciting era. Our goal is to bring you informative, thought provoking, and current content on a monthly basis, that you will enjoy reading cover-to-cover. Coronado Vibe invites you to create this magazine with us. During our planning stages, we became a true team. Of course we are publishers, editors, and sales executives... but titles are just words. We are a group of passionate people who are working together as a team, with our small-town neighbors, to create each unique issue. For exceptional content, we turn to you Islanders! The creative vibe and inspiration behind this magazine is to allow residents to influence what you read here. Community involvement emphasizes our goal to work as a team. Our special island is filled with so many stories that inspire us every day. We ask you to be a part of our team and send us your stories about local people, artists, icons, lost history and those diamondin-the-rough tales that the community would enjoy reading about. We invite you to create with us! Read, flip through the pages, and celebrate our community, its diversity of people, both the old school folks and the new. Coronado is an ever-changing island with its own unique vibe. It’s the happiest town we know and it’s why we have worked so hard to bring this magazine “celebrating all-things Coronado and beyond” to you. This first issue is dedicated to Stan Searfus, a dear friend who’s spirit is with us all and brought joy to so many. He will always be an inspiration, a legend and a true friend. In the words of Stan… “enough said!” Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
JESSICA NEMETH Publisher, Editor-in-Chief, Founder A special thank you to Amy Slack. She has been the backbone of Coronado Publishing over the past few years. She is an intelligent, kind, patient, positive person who I call a true friend...There are not enough thank yous to express my gratitude.
Lovingly provided by CATHERINE BUSBEE
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exposures
“Bird Flight” by Dan McGeorge
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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exposures 4
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Stan the Man!
Photo by John McCauley April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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contents
inside A P R I L
2 0 1 8
• EXPOSURES: Highlighting beautiful photos by area photographers, 4 • EVENTS: What’s happening on Coronado, 8 • FEATURE: Councilman Benzian goes to Washington, D.C., 10 • GIVING: Soroptimist Legends Luncheon, 18 • TRADITION: Coronado Flower Show Celebrating Spring, Coronado-style, 22 • DIRT: April in the Garden, 34 • ART: Coronado artists displayed banners on Orange Avenue, 36 • EAT: Chef Jerry Tovar packs big taste in his petite bistro, 42 • HOMEGROWN: Krowntown Design makes your image their business, 48 • SHOP: Island Girl - Where the Wild Things Are, 52 • REMEMBER: 100 years ago a poker game changed the lives of six generations, 54 • TRIVIA: Coronado history in April through the years, 56
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Celebrating All Things Coronado & Beyond
APRIL 2018, VOL. 1, ISSUE 1
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / FOUNDER Jessica Nemeth publisher@coronadopublishing.com Managing Editor: Leslie Crawford leslie@coronadopublishing.com Content Editors: Samantha Bey, Christopher Canton Contributing Writers: Whitney Benzian, Samantha Bey, Ellen Breitner, Leslie Crawford, Joe Ditler, Holly Nappen, Kelly Purvis, Christine Van Tuyl, Belle Mitchell Wood Contributing Photographers: Dan McGeorge / www.DanMcGeorge.com John McCauley / www.thisisCA.com Belle Mitchell Wood / www.CoronadoBelle.com
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For Advertising Sales: Amy Slack amy@coronadopublishing.com, 619-288-8050 Heather Canton heather@coronadopublishing.com, 619-565-7789 Layout & Design: Amy Stirnkorb & Kasey Daleo Distribution: Meredith Minerich
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To Reach Us: (619) 435-3441; publisher@coronadopublishing.com www.coronadovibe.com
FRANCINE HOWARD, PMC Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If you find any, please bring them to our attention and accept our sincerest apologies. Thanks! CORONADO VIBE is published monthly. No part of this publication may be used with written permission of the publisher. ©2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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events
ONGOING Art in the Park – 1st & 3rd Sundays, Spreckels Park Farmer’s Market – Weekly Tuesday afternoon, Coronado Ferry Landing Rotary Club – Weekly Wednesday noon, Hotel del Coronado Optimist Club – Weekly Thursday 7am, Coronado Community Center
CFA Home Front Judging Coronado Flower Show Friends of the Library Book Fair CFA Floral Fling Salute to the Military Ball Rotary Pancake Breakfast Classic Movie Series at the Village Theater MotorCars on Mainstreet
MAY • May 7-11 • May 12 • May 13 • May 18 • May 20 • May 28 • May 28 • May 30
Bulky Trash Week Sharp Coronado Hospital Gala CHA Historic Homes Tour Movies on the Bay at Tidelands Park Navy Bay Bridge Walk/Run Memorial Day Services Concerts in the Park Begins Classic Movie Series at the Village Theater
calendar
APRIL • April 9-11 • April 21-22 • April 20-22 • April 21 • April 21 • April 22 • April 25 • April 29
SAVE THE DATE • June 2 Lorton Mitchell/Stan Searfus Paddleout • June 16 Rotary Club of Coronado Low Tide Ride & Stride
For more information about the events, visit WelcomeToCoronado.com/coronadocalendar 8
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
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feature
Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey, City Councilman Whitney Benzian and City Manager Blair King met with Congressman Joe Wilson (South Carolina) who soon may be the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. 10
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Tijuana Sewage Spills — No End In Sight City Officials Storm Washington, DC to Fight Humanitarian & Environmental Disaster
F
Story by WHITNEY BENZIAN
or as long as anyone can remember, the South Bay region has been experiencing sewage flows from across the border in Tijuana. The severity of these flows can be massive, like the spill we witnessed in February of 2017 when over 100 million gallons of raw sewage flowed down the Tijuana River Valley (TJRV) into our beautiful ocean. This catastrophic event brought many of our local cities and government agencies together to demand change from both Mexico and the U.S. federal government.
While improvements have been made over the years to improve the situation, it is not enough. The installation of the South Bay Waster Water Treatment Plant in 1997 helped, but the treatment plant is only designed to handle up to 25 million gallons of daily sewage in dry weather. When it rains, the system simply shuts down. Consequently, raw sewage goes untreated, flowing directly into the sea. Because the system is often overloaded, storm water flows “bring substantial amounts of sediment and trash and other contaminants in the [TJRV] Valley from sources both in the United States and Mexico,” according to David Gibson, the Executive Director of the Regional Water Quality Control Board in San Diego. Indeed, he goes on to say, “the sediment and trash pollutants cause water quality impairments, threaten life and property from flooding, degrade valuable riparian and estuarine habitats, and impact recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.” That is putting it mildly from my point of view but still drives home the point from an influential expert. Along with the South Bay Treatment Plant, agencies and stakeholders have organized and volunteered through clean-ups, studies, and by building sediment basin and piloted trash capture devices. However, these efforts are just not cutting it. We need action and we need it now!
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JOHN McCAULEY
“We are dealing with a humanitarian and environmental disaster.”
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JOHN McCAULEY
So, what is the City of Coronado doing about it? The goal is to organize and execute a concerted, long term lobbying effort on this issue in the halls of Washington, D.C. The City Council recently voted to hire Best Best & Krieger, a Washington D.C.-based law firm and lobbying outfit that specializes in the Clean Water Act. They have deep relationships on Capitol Hill. By combining law and policy, we can achieve the results needed to clean up the TJRV. That’s what the City of Coronado is doing to address the issue. In short, our plan is to work legislatively to attack the problem. We know the source of the problem is a primarily a transboundary matter with Mexico, and we will work with the State Department to address that element of the issue. In the meantime, we need our federal government to act. We endorse funding tangible projects like catch basins and collector pools to mitigate the rampant pollution. This is where Congress, who controls the purse strings, comes in to play in a very important way. To that end, Mayor Richard Bailey, City Manager Blair King, and Councilmember Whitney Benzian (myself ) traveled to Washington D.C. to 14
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
strategize with Best Best & Krieger. We then stormed the Capitol, Pentagon, State Department, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over a two-day period of jam packed consultations. Specifically, we participated in about twelve meetings with over twenty-five Congressional leaders and federal government officials. At the State Department, we lobbied to push Mexico to address their infrastructure issues, which are the main obstacle to stopping this problem. We made requests for funding to the EPA, to Congress, and to the Pentagon. We stressed the importance of acting on our side of the border to alleviate the impact of the issue here. These meetings, as you might imagine, were both encouraging and discouraging. Our first meeting began mid-morning at the U.S. State Department and included officials from the U.S. Justice Department, and the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC).
“Longtime Imperial Beach residents say the sewage issue has been a problem for as long as they can remember.”
This meeting was helpful because it illustrated just how challenging it will be to achieve change with Mexico. The silver lining, however, was that we heard that Mexico for the first time is willing to meet and discuss this problem. Apparently, in the past, they wouldn’t even schedule it for discussion. We certainly formed useful relationships in D.C., but we weren’t naïve to the fact that the diplomatic approach would be a hard row to hoe. No surprise, frankly, but important for us to learn first-hand. At the Capitol we met with the San Diego Congressional delegation. We concluded that building infrastructure on our side of the border is the surest way forward to achieve meaningful results. We need to fund projects like catch basins. These devices effectively pool the sewage and divert it to be treated so it doesn’t make its way to our beaches and bays. Mayor Bailey stated that “The City of Coronado firmly believes that any long-term solution will require an act of Congress.” I agree. Our
representatives in Washington hold the keys to solving this problem. Currently, there is a bill, H.R. 3795, co-authored by Congressman Juan Vargas and Darrell Issa, that addresses the issue but it needs a funding mechanism to be useful. The gist of our congressional conversations revolved around this bill and our input will hopefully affect the amendments attached to it. We met with the entire San Diego Congressional delegation, save Congressman Duncan Hunter. We also met with the Office of Senator John McCain, Senator Dianne Feinstein and South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson. Mr. Wilson is poised to be the next committee chairman of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee, which would likely hear any bill regarding this issue. The current Vargas-Issa bill is sitting in the committee now. Mr. Wilson was initially not aware of the transnational pollution problem in San Diego. However, he knows Coronado well because his son was stationed at Balboa Hospital. He commented with a smile on the high price April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Whitney Benzian and Mayor Richard Bailey (background) in Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (California) office in Washington, DC. of real estate here. We left the meeting confident that we had an ally at the Capitol. From there we hopped on the underground train to the Capitol to meet with staff from Senator McCain and Feinstein’s offices. It was in these meetings that we learned our problem is shared by other border states, including Arizona and Texas. This realization was encouraging because we knew we could form a coalition with other congressional offices who are demanding change. As I mentioned earlier, the key to solving the problem is loosening the federal government’s purse strings. The more elected officials we have on our side, the more likely we will be successful in our efforts. Bi-partisan support is essential. We concluded by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We reviewed and discussed a myriad of funding options for building the infrastructure we so desperately need. This meeting was very instructive. We left with a much clearer picture of what is and isn’t worth pursuing with respect to federal programs and funding. For example, prior to this trip we were optimistic the North American Development Bank could help 16
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
us with funding an infrastructure project, but we don’t appear to qualify from what the EPA staff said. We were also told by Special Assistant to EPA Secretary Pruitt, Ken Wagner, that the Secretary was aware of the issue and is prioritizing it. At the EPA, we formed another strong relationship and ally in our fight to end the pollution in the TJRV. At this time, we need to circle the wagons with Best Best & Krieger and discuss next steps. We intend to hold regular discussions to organize all the parties we met with. I was frustrated to learn most of the agencies and elected leaders aren’t meeting regularly, if they have even met at all. We received assurances from most of them that they would gladly convene regular group meetings. The City of Coronado will work to make sure that happens. We are dealing with a humanitarian and environmental disaster. Our region needs all-hands-on-deck to deal with this pollution problem. The City of Coronado is committed to creating meaningful change. It won’t be quick; it won’t be easy. But I am confident that we can affect change by staying diligent and vocal!
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giving
Coronado Soroptimists
By H O L LY N A P P E N & E L L E N B R E I T N E R he Soroptimist International of Coronado (SIC) 15th Annual Legend’s Luncheon will honor two exceptional local women this year, Mary Gwen Brummitt and Laura Plumb. The luncheon is the organization’s signature event and raises funds to enhance the lives of women and girls worldwide. In addition to paying tribute to this year’s Legends, the luncheon will highlight positive work Soroptimists are doing to assist victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, improve health care and provide education for women and girls internationally.
{M ARY GWEN BRUMMITT} Mary Gwen says that philanthropic service is in her DNA. She calls her mother a “professional volunteer;” the same could be said of Mary Gwen. From her early days as an exceptional student in an all-girl Catholic school in Corpus Christi Texas, Mary Gwen was unintimidated by applying and being accepted to Stanford University. An accidental feminist who never considered stereotypical limitations common in her generation, she’d never thought of gender as an obstacle that affected her choices or opportunities. After earning a BA in romantic languages and Spanish American Culture, Mary Gwen returned home and married a Navy pilot, Gerry Brummitt, in 1954. Navy life introduced her to travel and adaptability. She became a mother of four, and was inspired take on volunteer efforts in areas that complemented her priorities as a mother and wife of a Naval Officer. She managed to find time to work as a teacher’s aide, volunteer at a home for the blind and an art museum, and participate in officers’ wives events. Her roots in Corpus Christi still punctuate her sentences with a very refined Texas accent. During their travels, Mary Gwen and her family imprinted on Coronado, choosing it for their permanent family home. As her children were leaving for college Mary Gwen’s volunteerism and public service unfolded into a full-time job. She served on the Coronado School Board for six years. Native Coronadan, Randy Bogdess, who first met Mary Gwen in 1976 at a School Board meeting, was immediately impressed with her calm and reassuring demeanor in the face of contentious issues. He calls Mary Gwen “one of his favorite people in the world,” and says “She is the epitome of a gracious, cultured woman.” Through their church Randy also got to know Mary Gwen’s family. He fondly remarks, “They adopted me into their family,” and he remains a devoted friend. Two months after her tenure on the Coronado School Board, she was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees at Southwestern College, 18
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
The luncheon will be held on April 28th at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa. 100 percent of donations from the event go directly to the worthy charities supported by SIC. For more information, visit coronadosoroptimist.org.
a position that lasted nine years. Typical of Mary Gwen, she was unaware of her landmark status as the first woman to serve on the Board. Her circumspect nature and intelligence proved invaluable when she served as Commissioner on the San Diego Civil Service Commission from 1993-2003 where she held hearings for employees with grievances. In her commitment to a lifetime of learning and good deeds, she’s still an active participant in three book clubs and continues to volunteer with her Church. The hallway of her lovely home showcases a display of awards and accolades for her years of service. Among these honors are the 2009 Faith Award from the Coronado Human Relations Commission and the California Legislative Assembly Certificate of Recognition. The County of San Diego was so impressed with her contributions, that they declared a day Mary Gwen Brummitt Day. Mary Gwen expresses great pride in the accomplishments of her children, and feels fortunate to have two of them live nearby, as well as a granddaughter who recently moved to Coronado. She speaks fondly of her family’s close connection and enjoys sharing spirited discourse around the dinner table. To this day, she is still learning from and teaching others – and those around her are fortunate for her upstanding mentorship.
{L AU R A P LU M B} It could be said that one of this year’s Legends passed the torch to the other. Mary Gwen was one of the first people Laura Plumb met when she moved to Coronado. For as long as Laura can remember, she’s had ardent appreciation for both healing and the human spirit. In 2000, her passions led her to the study of Ayurveda (a system of ancient holistic medical practices rooted in India still being used today).
Coronado Soroptimists are honoring two exceptional local women this year, Laura Plumb and Mary Gwen Brummitt. She graduated from Kerala Academy and the American Institute of Vedic Studies and has become a leading educator on the power of Vedic sciences. Today, Laura offers world-wide consultations and classes in the ancient practice of Ayurveda, Jyotish, and Yoga Therapy. She is a contributing Ayurvedic educator at UCSD Center for Integrative Medicine. Laura makes regular sojourns to India which include leading retreats where participants do Yoga and are exposed to Ayurvedic practices and local culture. While in India Laura connects with a local orphanage, Ramana’s Garden, an orphanage and school for homeless children founded on the premise that education is the key to escaping poverty. When Laura talks about her visits to the orphanage her face beams with the love and devotion she feels for the children. Laura’s trips to India also include visits to a medical center in where she teaches patients Ayurvedic medicine, reintroducing a healing process that was lost to many of the poor over time. Ten years ago, Laura founded the Sophia Leadership Camp for Girls right here in Coronado. She explains her mission is to “inspire a value-based way of life in future generations of young women.” Activities at the camp are designed to help navigate the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood, enhance
self-esteem, critical thinking and personal health. Laura’s goal for her campers is that they will “grow up to be their very best selves, and in turn, positive forces in the world.” Last year several Soroptimists were honored to participate in the Camp curriculum, one of whom fondly remembers, “The impact the camp had on the girls in just five days was amazing to witness. You watched them discover and reveal a grace and self-confidence they never knew they possessed, let alone wanted to share with others.” This year’s camp will be held August 6th through August 10th. Laura’s practices are rooted in “awakening radiance.” To that end she embraces health from a holistic point of view, aiming to help others achieve wellness by sharing best practices on her daily blog and through consultations and classes. She recently published Ayurveda Cooking for Beginners. Using her expertise from her former position as general manager of The Discovery Channel Europe, she is now the writer and host of an international 58-part TV series called VedaCleanse and a 12-part TV series called Devine Yoga. Laura’s focus and priority to educate women and girls both here and abroad embraces the Soroptimist’s commitment to improving lives by creating opportunity for women and girls through education. April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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2018 SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF CORONADO LEGEND LUNCHEON PARTNERS IN GIVING DONORS Soroptimist International of Coronado wishes to thank those who have already generously donated to our April 28, 2018 Legends Luncheon helping us to Build Bridges of Opportunity for Women & Girls. Renaissance Club Partner Anonymous Women Helping Women Partner Coronado Island Sinclair ~ Jan and Sets Iwashita * Wendy McGuire and Dev Purkayastha * Dr. Jean Roesch Living Their Dreams Partner Chloe Moore Karen Pray Blossom A. Sanger MD. * KC Spring Building Bridges of Opportunity for Women and Girls Partner Abby Jarl-Veltz and Joshua Veltz Crown City Escrow ~ Cynthia English * Exit Consulting Group, Inc. ~ Dawn and John Ovrom * Herb and Mary Jo Bayard Ellen Breitner Gail and Bob Bardin * Gooch and Maureen Goetschius Sandy and Ed Gross Dr. Dick and Tippy Thibodeau * Nancy Suzanne Smith, Interior Design Soroptimist Friends Partner Asha Devereaux, MD, MPH, Inc. * Britt Zeller * Elizabeth Gill * Felicia Bell * Fred Eckert * Cherie Collins * Kari Lyons Lee Lane, PhD * Suzanne and Bill Ware * The Gensler Group ~ Dan Gensler * Valerie Gibbons Papaccio * Van H. Vu *
We invite anyone wishing to become a Partner In Giving to donate online at www.coronadosoroptimist.org or call Wendy McGuire at 619-823-4701. * Thank you to our Early Donor/Mentors in calendar year 2017
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
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tradition
The Coronado Flower Show Celebrates Spring on the Island 22
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Story & Photos by L E SL I E CR AW F O R D It’s that time of year again when Spreckels Park is transformed into a flower-lovers’ paradise. White tents showcase everything from artistic floral arrangements to exotic orchids to prize roses and Bonsai trees, children run barefoot in the grass, friends laugh and chat in the beer garden, and old time rag tunes float from brass instruments out of the iconic gazebo. It’s the Coronado Flower Show, and it’s the town’s longest running (and one of the best-loved) traditions. This year’s show, held Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd is themed “Let the Good Times Grow” and is co-chaired by Diana Drummey and Leslie Crawford.
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The first Coronado Flower Show was put on in 1922 by Harold Taylor, a local photographer and horticultural enthusiast. Taylor was a close friend to Alfred Robinson, the founder and president of the San Diego Floral Association. With good connections, help from the community, and, assuming some mentoring from Mr. Robinson, Taylor founded Coronado Floral Association and subsequently held the first flower show. The schools loaned desks and typewriters, the Hotel del Coronado provided trellises and tables, the Navy provided tents, and local Boy Scout troops camped in the park to provide security for the show. Other than cancelling a few years during WWII, the show has become a yearly tradition and a signature event for Coronado. The annual celebration actually begins two weeks before the Show, when the Coronado Floral Association sponsors Home Front Judging. Volunteer judges fan out all over town, this year from April 9th to 11th , judging the landscaping efforts of residences, apartments and condominiums, businesses, churches, schools, hotels, municipal buildings and median gardens based on a set of criteria, and are awarded corresponding ribbons that residents often proudly display year-round. It’s all in good fun and aims to bring the community together to beautify Coronado.
Coronado Flower Show brings in spectacular entries from all over San Diego County. In the Orchid Section, this specimen won top awards.
In the early morning hours of the Monday before the Flower Show weekend, trucks pull up to Spreckels Park, offload piles of tents and infrastructure, and the work begins. It takes four full days to set up what essentially becomes a small town within the park. By Thursday the big work is complete, the fire marshal has inspected, and the ‘all clear’ is given for all the different sections to begin setting up the magic inside the tents. Throughout the weekend, over 200 volunteers from the community take part in running the show. Regarded as the nation’s largest tented flower show, there is so much to see and something for all ages. The show is divided into five divisions which include horticulture, design, educational exhibits, youth, and botanical arts. The divisions are open to anyone who cares to enter, including entries from San Diego County residents. Year after year, there are always such beautiful and interesting plants to see! And among the fun flora
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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is live entertainment in the bandstand, vendors selling garden-related materials, plants, and snacks, the ever-popular beer garden, and a tent for children to make their own arrangements and crafts. Don’t miss the children’s exhibits showcasing their whimsical “Zoo’s Whos” (animals made of produce) and paper plates adorned with creative arrangements of seeds and beans by preschool and kindergarten students. Visit the “Men’s Section” with entries that usually take on a humorous and sometimes political air (winners are chosen by popular vote), and the table arrangements section where entries are fully-decorated dining tables that follow a particular theme. And within the educational exhibits are the always popular wildflowers, gathered around San Diego County by volunteers who have special permits to collect protected plantings. A new addition to the show last year is a floral photography exhibit, which is open to the public for entry, but reservations are required. On Saturday evening, the Coronado Floral Association and the Coronado Junior Woman’s Club will be hosting the Floral Fling inside the Flower Show tents, an opportunity to nibble, sip, and celebrate Spring under the stars in Spreckels Park. All entries are judged by Flower Show judges, who are trained and accredited by National Garden Clubs, following a rigid set of criteria. It’s an interesting, thorough, and objective process. Judges come to the show by invite from all over Southern California. In the Horticulture section, Division I, you will see growing plants, cut flowers, cactus and succulents and bonsai. The judges use terms like “cultural perfection,” and “condition and grooming” in deciding how to judge each entry. They also pay attention to the labeling of the plant on the entry form, looking for proper genus and cultivar to be listed. Volunteers at the show will be on hand to help entrants properly label their entries. In the Design Section, Division II, judges will look over floral design, table arrangements, picture boxes and miniature arrangements. Using the Design Scale of Points is used to grade exhibits and following the Principles and Elements of Design judges look at every-
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
BRING YOUR ENTRIES:
April 20, 4-6pm April 21, 7am-9:30am SHOW HOURS:
April 21, 1-5pm April 22, 10am-4pm
Admission: $5; children under 12 and Coronado Floral Association members are free. CoronadoFlowerShow.com info@coronadoflowershow.com
FLORAL FLING
April 21, 6:30-9:30pm Spreckels Park Get your tickets at www.CoronadoFlowerShow.com
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Put a little spring in your step, and come see all the good things growing!
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
The Mens’ Section entries range from silly to political and are judged by popular vote.
In the Youth Section, bean plate designs by the kids never fail to bring a smile! thing from the condition of the material in the arrangement, to how the balance, rhythm, proportion and scale are used, and whether the Show’s theme rules of entering were followed. It takes the judges all morning, after which they head over to the Winn Room at the library where they are fed lunch, courtesy of Coronado Floral Association. Entries can be brought to the show on Friday, April 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 21 from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Judging begins promptly at 10 a.m. The gates open on Saturday at 1 p.m. and the show comes to life! The show officially ends at 4 p.m. on Sunday when participants must pick up all entries except for cut flowers, which are auctioned off for proceeds that will go toward the following year’s expenses. By Monday afternoon, the tents are gone, and another Coronado Flower Show goes down in history. Gardens get spruced up for Home Front judging, providing beautiful views on a neighborhood walk.
There are a lot of ways to participate in the Coronado Flower Show in addition to, or in lieu of, entering. Volunteer your time, or support the Coronado Floral Association by becoming a member for $35.00. The City of Coronado provides a generous grant to help offset the costs of the show, but membership is an important part of keeping the tradition alive. April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
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dirt
April in the Garden Story & Photos by L E S L I E C R A W F O R D
A
pril is National Gardening Month, and Coronado celebrates by getting ready for the annual Coronado Flower Show. Although our seasons in Southern California are milder than other parts of the country, we still see changes all around us in the trees and in our gardens. There’s plenty to do in the garden, and spending time in the yard now will yield a healthier garden as we go into warmer months. After some rain and the weather warming up, come the weeds. It’s important to control weeds while they are still small because they compete with your other plants for nutrients, water, and light. As the saying goes, “A year of seeds means decades of weeds.” Plants are starting to wake up from winter so continue fertilizing, but don’t be heavy-handed with the food. Too much fertilizer will send your plants into overdrive, which results in softer growth and thirstier plants. Plants showing yellowing leaves with green veins are suffering from iron deficiency so an application of fertilizer with chelated iron is needed.. When your camellias and azaleas stop blooming they are ready for an acidic fertilizer. All that blooming has worn them out and they need some food! Fertilizing can be simple or complicated. Personally, I use mostly fish emulsion, but occasionally plants need an extra boost. Any reputable nursery will have an array of plant food and can answer your questions. Roses need to be fertilized this month and need about 1½ inch of surface water twice a week, depending on whether we get rain or we have a hot spell. Warmer weather means that garden pests are waking up, stretching and getting ready to feast on all the new, fresh growth in your garden. If you are seeing bugs on your plants, spray them down in the morning so the plants are dry before nightfall. Aphids are starting to appear in my yard so I’m blasting with water first, but if I see the problem getting out of hand, I will be a bit more aggressive with insecticidal soap. Again, your local nursery can help you with that. Head out to the garden in the early morning or evening to find snails and slugs. This time of year they are out in force and can do so much damage in a short period of time. If we have damp nights, hunting is usually very satisfying! Don’t forget about your indoor plants. Take them outside in the morning, give them a good rinse down to wash dust off the leaves and flush out the soil. Keep them in the shade while they are drying so the leaves don’t burn. Coronado gardens will be at their best this month. Take a walk around town and enjoy the beautiful plants thriving in our great climate. And don’t forget, while you’re working in the yard wear your sunscreen!
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
PINK FLOWERING TABEBUIA TREE If you’ve seen this tree blooming around Coronado, it is an eye-catcher. Tabebuia impetiginosa, aka Trumpet Tree or Pink Tabebuia is covered in blooms this time of year. Native to the American tropics and subtropics from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina, coastal Southern California is one of the few places in the continental United States where the tabebuias thrive. The tree is pest resistant and drought tolerant making it a great candidate to be on the Coronado Street Tree list.
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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art
Shedding Light on Coronado Artists
Banners along Orange Avenue will display works By K E L L Y P U R V I S {City of Coronado Contract Arts Administrator Coronado Ar ts Commission}
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
This spring, Coronado is uplifting its talented artists – literally! From early April through the end of June, 30 beautiful light-pole banners representing 27 Coronado artists will be on display on the Orange Avenue medians from First Street to Avenida de las Arenas. The Orange Avenue Banner Program, generously funded through a grant from Discover Coronado, is in its second year and seeks to encourage the use of public spaces for displaying art and the promoting cultural events.
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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The light pole banners add vitality and color to the cityscape and showcase the community’s artistic talent. Currently there are five series displayed at various times during the year including a patriotic, a historic and a traditional holiday series. The “Celebrating Coronado Artists” series was launched in 2017 with 13 artists selected through a juried process and 15 images selected for display. For the 2018 program, 28 local artists submitted 74 images and the jury process identified 15 new artists to display their artwork on the banners. The artwork includes watercolor and oil paintings,
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
fabric art and pottery. The pool of artists includes the oldest artist to have participated in the series – Margaret Swanson, who recently celebrated her 104th birthday, also being displayed are pieces from two art teachers at Coronado High School, Karrie Jackson and Anna Woerman, and three images of quilts by Kathleen McCabe and Edith Greenberg. The Artists Series fulfills the mission of the Cultural Arts Commission to provide an avenue to promote, encourage and raise awareness of Coronado’s visual arts in general, and our individual artists. This will create collaborative opportunities for Coronado artists to become an integral part of the rich fabric of the community.
Upon hearing of her selection to participate in this spring’s program, artist Mary Hale remarked, “What an absolute honor to have been chosen! I love this group of community volunteers and their accomplishments. I had no idea there were so many talented artists in our community. The Cultural Arts Commission is instrumental in highlighting and promoting us. Special thanks to City Manager Blair King, Mayor Richard Bailey and the Council for their support of the Commission and for displaying local art in our fine city.”
The Cultural Arts Commission hopes to continue the “Celebrating Coronado Artists” program annually with approximately 15 images rotating out of the artist series each year and 15 new banners juried in for display giving each artist two years of display. The program provides the opportunity for up to 30 local artists to exhibit their artwork and have significant exposure in the community. At the conclusion of the series’ banner display, artists have the option to
purchase their banner at cost with sales proceeds benefitting the programs that support visual artists in our community. A display of this year’s banners is included in the new exhibition at the C3 Gallery in the west wing of the Coronado Community Center located at 1845 Strand Way in Coronado. Over a third of this spring’s banners have a floral theme and many of the artists featured will also be participating in the upcoming “Florals by Locals,”
paintings exhibited at the Coronado Flower Show on April 21st and 22nd in Spreckels Park. This will be the fourth year that the Cultural Arts Commission has mounted the display of floralthemed artwork by local artists during the annual show. For more information on the “Celebrating Coronado Artists” program as well as the “Florals by Locals” exhibition and call for artists, please visit CoronadoARTS.com or contact the Contract Arts Administrator, Kelly Purvis, at 619.522.2633 or kpurvis@coronado.ca.us.
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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eat
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R
Story & Photos by B E L L E M I T C H E L L W O O D
ight smack in the middle of beautiful Coronado Island is one of the best kept secrets in San Diego! It’s a little gem of a restaurant called Crown Bistro. The restaurant is small in size but big on flavor, serving delicious meals for over 28 years. Most tourists don’t know about it, but Coronado locals have been enjoying fantastic food for years! The owner, Jerry Tovar, is not only the main chef, but also the visionary behind the incredible menu. On any given Saturday or Sunday, there is usually a line of hungry people waiting outside for their turn to enjoy the Breakfast of Champions. My father had a family saying — “If there is a line to get into a restaurant — GO STAND IN LINE!” Dad’s theory was that the food must be pretty darn amazing if people were willing to wait for it! At Crown Bistro people wait with pleasure and anticipation, knowing the food is worth waiting for.
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Crown Bistro Owner and Chef, Jerry Tovar
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Center Cut Pork Chops
Crown Bistro 520 Orange Avenue Coronado, CA 92118 619-435-3678 www.crownbistro.com
The Bistro’s food is the main attraction, but the people who run the petite restaurant are what keep locals coming back, time and again. The Bistro provides excellent service with a smile in a charming and cozy location. Their breakfast menu has a delicious selection of entrees and one of the more popular items is Jerry’s version of Eggs Benedict. Bottomline: It is to die for and their omelettes are the BOMB, not to mention the Very Berry French Toast complete with powdered sugar, fresh whipped cream and berries. I’ve had crab cakes in Martha’s Vineyard and Boston but none of them even hold a candle to Jerry’s signature crab cakes, served with a delicious side salad and just the right amount of mango chutney sauce. YUM! The food is so good at this restaurant that Jerry has developed quite a following.
Chef Jerry Tovar moved here from Tijuana and started out as a teenager washing dishes. Over many, many years and several different restaurants, he learned virtually every aspect of the restaurant business. He eventually went to college to master the fine art of the restaurant business and his work paid off. He was previously a cook at the famous Mr. A’s, no wonder he makes such delicious food. Jerry has trained under Italian, German, Spanish and French chefs and 44
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
was able to put his own spin on the recipes he’s been cooking for years. Like most chefs, he’d always dreamt of opening a place of his own and when the opportunity arose to own and run the restaurant inside of the Crown City Inn Jerry jumped on it. He single-handedly turned it into a foodie’s little slice of heaven. Plus, he’s a great guy! He’s very popular with the locals who not only love the masterful meals he creates, but also the charm only a small-town restaurant can provide. Crown Bistro is open for delicious breakfast and lunch from 8 am until 2 pm every day of the week. (Last seating is at 1:45 pm.) They serve exceptional dinners from 5-8:30 pm Monday thru Saturday. Jerry is now offering “Wine Pairing Dinners” which consist of a four-course gourmet meal paired with delicious and hard to find wines from around the world. Excellent price point and perfect for a special “Date Night” destination! If you’re not already hungry, take a peek at his website and explore the many options available to taste and enjoy. I’m warning you, it’s hard to decide! This is the perfect place for friends and family to fine dine together. On Orange Avenue, smack in the heart of Coronado, deliciousness awaits!
Crab Cakes
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Local Family Owned & Operated 619-432-2677 | BBQBossUSA.COM
homemade
Turkey Calendula Roll-Ups {Makes 4} RECIPE BY KITTY MORSE AUTHOR OF “EDIBLE FLOWERS: KITCHEN COMPANION WITH RECIPES”
C
alendulas (Calendula officinalis), also called pot marigolds, are cheery flowers that have had both culinary and medicinal uses for centuries. Throughout the ages, tinctures, oils, and salves made from calendula blossoms have been used to treat headaches and toothaches, and even to stop bleeding. In the 16th century, those who drank a potion made from marigolds were reputed to be able to see fairies! In mild climates, the calendula’s bright flowers paint gardens in infinite shades of orange and yellow almost year-round, and their dainty petals add a golden hue and tang to soups, grains, or scrambled eggs. German cooks commonly used calendulas in their soups and stews, which explains the nickname pot marigold.
MIKE PAWLENTY
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise 1 tablespoon horseradish 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish 1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice 1 tart apple, peeled and finely diced 1 cup calendula petals 4 (12-inch) tortillas 8 ounces wafer-thin turkey or ham slices 1 cup micro greens Calendula petals, for garnish In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, horseradish, pickle relish, and pickle juice. Stir in the apple and calendula petals. Lay a tortilla flat and spread the mixture evenly over the surface, leaving the edges free of filling. Cover with a layer of turkey and micro greens. Roll up the tortilla jelly-roll style. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill. Repeat. Roll-ups will keep up to 3 days refrigerated. To serve, cut diagonally into 1½-inch slices and garnish with more petals. Reprinted with permission by La Caravane Publishing and Chefs Press
April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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homegrown 48
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Custom Coronado Krowntown Design & Apparel Makes Your Image Their Business
Coronado native Chris Hutton got his start in graphic design working on Coronado High School’s newspaper, The Islander, in 1989. Since then, he’s amassed over 20 years of design experience, creating dynamic logos and branding for businesses all over Coronado and beyond, including Coronado Brewing Company, MooTime Creamery, High Tide Bottle Shop & Kitchen, McP’s Irish Pub, Village Pizzeria, and more.
Story by SAMANTHA BEY Photos by KROWNTOWN DESIGN
With such prolific design experience on the island – and the lasting relationships he’s developed with satisfied customers along the way April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
it’s fitting that Hutton has opened Krowntown Design & Apparel within the El Cordova Hotel. Hutton and his business partner, Roberta O’Neill, opened their doors in October, providing a wide array of custom design work ranging from branding and marketing materials, to vehicle graphics, to real estate signs, to personalized banners. The store also marks a new venture for Hutton, in-house screen printing for custom apparel including tank tops, t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. “Customers can walk into our store with an idea, sketch, logo, or slogan and within twenty minutes we can have it printed on a shirt for them,” says Hutton. And, he explains, as opposed to online companies that can take weeks and use only basic clip art and templates, Krowntown offers a personal touch that makes a big difference in customer satisfaction. “We are designers. So if someone has an idea, but needs some help pulling it together, we can listen to what they want and give guidance to create exactly what it is they’re looking for.”
A family recently came to Hutton’s store looking for a few t-shirts for their son and his friends. They ordered t-shirts that said “Razor Scooter Squad.” While in the store, the family’s other son mentioned he’d worked on some sketches at school that would also look cool on a shirt; Hutton was able to scan in the artwork and print the custom shirt within a half hour. “The kids were so happy to see their ideas come to life on clothes so quickly,” says Hutton. Likewise, because of the shop’s proximity to Miguel’s, Hutton has had tourists come in wanting a fun shirt commemorating their trip; he’s been able to print them and deliver them while they were still enjoying their meal in the restaurant. Hutton says one of this favorite parts of what he does is “the reaction from people when we deliver something personal and original that was exactly what they wanted.” Visit the store at 1339 Orange Ave Suite 1, or online at krowntown.wixsite.com/website. April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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shop
SHOP LOCAL
WHERE THE
Wild THINGS ARE
Avenu 1114 Orange Ave. (619) 996-3303
W
Coronado Hardware 140 Orange Ave. (619) 435-2266
! s f d o l r i t h w d e s e n e l o fi c l a on g e v ' e Tribal Clutch It’s a jungle out there. Don’t forget your clutch! Blue Jeans & Bikinis 971 Orange Ave. (619) 319-5858
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
Muhl Jewelers 1130 Orange Ave. (619) 435-4541
Tassel Earrings These neutral fabric tassel earrings are temptingly tribal.
Siren Pillow & Wine Glass Into the wild and under the sea with this decorative pillow and statement wine glass.
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Peacock Necklace Show your true colors with this one-of-a-kind, handmade necklace.
From Tunisia, with Love: Spicy Chile Oils This Baklouti Green Chile Oil hails from the Barbary Coast, and promises a fearsome and fiery kick! Coronado Taste of Oils 954 Orange Ave. (619) 522-0098
Boho-Chic Top Take a walk on the wild side of Orange Avenue in this bohemian style blouse. Blue Jeans & Bikinis 971 Orange Ave. (619) 319-5858
Christine Van Tuyl Jungle Art Water Bottle Stay hydrated in style with this earthy tropical water bottle. Studio 1220 952 Orange Ave. (619) 435-9900
Book for Aspiring Bad Moms This playful and clever tribute to the children’s classic is the perfect Mother’s Day Gift for the wild moms in your life.
Fair Trade Decor 828 Orange Ave. (619) 675-0072
Island Girl: A Coronado Lifestyle Blog www.islandgirlblog.com
Color Wave Necklace Nothing tame about this necklace. The colored enamel is fired about 12 times and set in gold! Muhl Jewelers 1130 Orange Ave. (619) 435-4541
3 Layer Necklace These elegant layering necklaces symbolize everything you need to survive in the wild: protection, guidance and love.
Lumo 940 Orange Ave. (619) 996-3044
Fierce & Fabulous Tiger Art Print You’ll die for this safari-chic tiger print. Bungalow 56 1022 C Ave. (619) 537-0236 April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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JOE DITLER
remember
Key to the Future, Eye on the Past
The key to Room #1 at the Hotel del Coronado from more than a century ago.
One evening during their stay, in a small and smoky room, Keck had the momentum in a poker game. It had been a long game, taking a physical toll on the players. Some left the game, but none left the room.
By JOE DITLER
A
poker game late one night at the Hotel del Coronado changed one couple’s lives, and continues to have an impact on their family six generations later. In 1911, Walter Keck, who had become very successful in the leather industry, brought his wife Caroline Seymour-Keck out from East Hampton, 54
Coronado Vibe • April 2018
New York to escape the harsh East Coast winter. They were no strangers to Coronado; the Kecks had married and honeymooned at the famous hotel in 1890, and routinely wintered in there with their six children. On this trip, the Kecks had traveled six days by train, accompanied by their laundress, nanny, maid, and an entire entourage.
As sunrise peeked through parted curtains, it revealed ashtrays overflowing with mutilated cigars; ice melted in drinks long since abandoned in the heat of battle. We don’t know what hand old man Keck held, but someone wanted to raise the bet and didn’t have the cash to back his move. “I don’t have any more cash,” the gambler told Keck. There was a long and tense pause…
A smattering of Kecks and Reynolds at a family reunion, 1930s. Photo courtesy Susan Keith Collection
“But I have a home here in Coronado worth $5,000,” as he slipped the folded Property Deed from his wallet and placed it on the table. A third party examined the Deed before nodding his head, signifying it was legitimate, and worth at least $5,000. Keck slid the man’s script to the pile in the center of the table and the game continued, or so the story has been handed down these many years. When the smoke cleared, Walter Keck was the new owner of a home at 965 Alameda (then known as “K Avenue”) and located directly across the street from the Coronado Polo Fields, known now as the Country Club area of the island.
Was it a full house? A trip of Jacks? Was he bluffing with a dead man’s hand of two pair (Aces and 8’s) — the same hand Wild Bill Hickok held when he was shot? We’ll never know what won a Coronado home for Walter Keck that night, but he and Caroline wasted no time moving their clan into it — a move that would change their lives and their destiny forever. Now, six generations later, the descendants of the Kecks — the Harris, Meade, Haines, Reynolds, Clark, and White families — continue to call Coronado their home. While the house has long-since passed from the Keck’s hands, it still stands along Alameda as a
reminder to those family members who visited there often as children. Aside from the house itself, only a simple key remains as a relic from that late night poker game. It’s the key for room #1 at the Hotel del Coronado, held by the Kecks during the stay when they won their forever home. Somehow it survived being handed down by family members over the years. The key now resides in an exhibit case at the Coronado Museum of History and Art; a donation to the museum from Pike and Jane Meade in 2006. The small, yet extremely valuable, artifact is displayed, but, at last look, offered no elucidation. April 2018 • Coronado Vibe
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Coronado Vibe • April 2018
trivia answers 1. The ferry Silver Gate was doomed from the beginning, launched April 1, 1888, April Fools Day. It was poorly designed, too big and unwieldy, and it routinely damaged docks on both sides of the bay. Decommissioned after two years, the ferry found a new life as a casino at Tent City until 1910 and later as a clubhouse for the San Diego Yacht Club. 2. On April 13, 1972 Roland ‘Mac’ McNeely was first mayor to be directly-elected by Coronado voters for a two year term. From 1926 to 1971, mayors were appointed by city council. Before 1926 the city was run by Coronado Board of Trustees that appointed a president of the board. 3. President Benjamin Harrison, who was touring the country by train and had breakfast at The Del on April 23, 1891. Including Harrison, eleven presidents have visited the Del: William Taft, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. 4. On April 15, 1893, the federal government condemned 18.05 acres on the southwestern corner of North Island to build a jetty in an effort to stop the flow of sand from the southern littoral current. A rail line was laid through Coronado so quarried rock for construction could reach the jetty. Construction started in 1894, and the jetty was built in three stages over 11 years at a cost of more than $550,000. Jutting out from the corner of North Island, the jetty extends 7,500 feet into the ocean, parallel to Point Loma. 5. Coronado’s first annual Horse Show was April 14, 1928 at the Coronado Country Club in the Riding Club ring. It was a high-society social event with people coming from all over Southern California. Over 100 horses competed in different categories. There were contests for the kids, and a championship round for the advanced riders.
Who was the first 3 president to visit the Hotel del Coronado?
1
4
5
What year was Coronado’s first Horse Show?
What year did building begin on Zuniga Jetty?
Which Coronado Ferry was doomed from the beginning?
Who was the first mayor in Coronado elected directly by the voters?
trivia
2
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22 GREEN TURTLE $3.8 MILLION SELLER
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BREATHTAKING VIEWS!
320 1st Street | 3 Beds | 7 Baths | Approx 5,500 sq.ft. | Offered at $5.8M - $6.5M
916 D AVE $3.874 MILLION SELLER / BUYER
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1125 ALAMEDA BLVD $3.4 MILLION SELLER
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2 THE POINT $2.9 MILLION SELLER / BUYER
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HELP A CHILD’S WISH COME TRUE! Join Vicki & Rick at Spiros Greek Cafe at the Coronado Ferry Landing! Enjoy Great Greek Food & Select Wine Tasting. Live Entertainment with Coronado’s Own Matt Heinecke!
TUESDAY, APRIL 3RD 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 831 H AVE $2.1 MILLION BUYER
35% OF ALL PROCEEDS
GO TO
Call the Best! 619-204-3400 facebook.com/BestofCoronado
@BestCoronadoRealEstate
DO YOU KNOW YOUR HOME’S VALUE? GET 3 INDEPENDENT OPINIONS INSTANTLY!
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CoronadoRealEstateUpdate.com 1099 1ST ST #418 $1.719 MILLION SELLER
BESTofCoronado.com
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