CORONADO Magazine - September 2023

D e l C o r o n a d o R e a l t y i s a f u l l s e r v i c e b o u t i q u e b r o k e r a g e s p e c i a l i z i n g i n C o n c i e r g e - l e v e l r e a l e s t a t e i n C o r o n a d o C A ,

L a J o l l a , D e l M a r H e i g h t s , a n d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g C o a s t a l S a n

D i e g o A r e a s . T h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f D e l C o r o n a d o R e a l t y a t t h e H i s t o r i c H o t e l D e l C o r o n a d o h a s b r o u g h t a n u n p a r a l l e l e d b e n e f i t t o t h i s b r o k e r a g e a n d o u r c l i e n t s o v e r t h e y e a r s

Healthy Back-to-School Habits

A new school year is an exciting time for kids and parents. At Sharp Coronado Hospital, we want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy, and recommend following these tips:

• Practice frequent hand-washing with soap and water to prevent the spread of illness.

• Stay up to date on vaccinations, including an annual flu shot.

• Boost immunity by eating a healthy diet.

• Stay physically active and get enough sleep.

If you or a loved one needs care, you can conveniently save a spot in our ER at sharp.com/coronadoER. Walk-ins always welcome.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.

School Is Back In Session!

September brings the last-gasp of summer to Coronado … it’ll be sunny, it’ll be warm, and our children will be in school. It’s definitely time for a weekend picnic!

With this issue of the Coronado Magazine we get to share a bit of the back-to-school reflections of Claire Hartunian (Coronado Magazine intern and 2023 Francis Parker graduate) as she prepares for new adventures at the University of North Carolina and the Hussman School of Journalism. We couldn’t be prouder of Claire - and wish her all the success in the world!

The Coronado Cultural Arts Commission has us California Dreamin’, with an evening of art & creativity opening Sept. 14th. … take a visit to Grandmother’s house with Hattie … and share in a grandparent’s love for their grandchildren … take a pause with Christine to make some memories … and sit a spell and play a tune on the piano, music is in the air!

To commemorate the closing of “Open Doors,” CHA will be hosting the “Tour of Wings,” come on out for a special presentation … Wayne Strickland is this Month’s “Island Icon” … and Kris Grant takes us on an Epicurean journey through Grand Junction, Colorado.

And don’t forget … whether you live in Coronado, or come here to visit .. we are all Islanders when we are in the 92118. We are proud to be ‘One Town, One Team.’

Dean K. Eckenroth Jr Editor & Associate Publisher

Cover and above photos by Hattie Foote

Publisher Dean Eckenroth publisher@eaglenewsca.com

Associate Publisher

Dean K. Eckenroth Jr. editor@eaglenewsca.com

Business Development

Advertising Director Patricia Ross patricia@eaglenewsca.com

Amanda Ramirez amanda@eaglenewsca.com

Renee Schoen renee@eaglenewsca.com

Editorial

Alessandra Selgi-Harrigan alessandra@eaglenewsca.com

Lauren Curtis copyeditor@eaglenewsca.com

Kel Casey kel@eaglenewsca.com

Christine Johnson christine@eaglenewsca.com

Brooke Clifford eaglenewsbrooke@gmail.com

Photographer Hattie Foote

Production

Andrew Koorey

Printing

Reed Printing

Distribution

Roberto Gamez

Entertainers Dream Home

Completely redesigned in 2021 with an extraordinary style and flow. Grand, open living spaces. Gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry. Elevator, gym, office, game room. Smart Home and Solar. Sumptuous master suite. 24 FT automated glass doors open to an outdoor courtyard with covered patio, fireplace, pizza oven, BBQ, centered around an oval dipping pool. Gated, private, luxurious living in the heart of Coronado.

¡Listos Para La Escuela!

By Claire Harutunian

Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first day of college, back to school always feels like a major shift. As someone who is about to experience the latter, I can assure you that the butterflies in your stomach thinking about a big change do not disappear with age. What is different is the maturity level and the ability to understand the magnitude of the experience ahead. The idea of moving across the country, leaving family, meeting new friends, living in a dorm and balancing classes can be overwhelming. The universal experience of growing up is unavoidable, however, and it has caused me to reminisce on the carefree innocence of my first back to school season. Fifteen years ago, I started preschool as a three-year-old. While I did not comprehend the full scope of this life change, I did realize it was a big deal. The shopping trip to Target to pick out a tiny backpack, lunchbox, cool pack of colored pencils and new pink shoes was one hint. As a fairly independent child, I literally skipped through the preschool gates and onto campus the first day. Perhaps I was partially emboldened by my then favorite character, Dora The Explorer, who was emblazoned across the front of my new dress with an embroidered message: “¡Listos para la escuela!” meaning “Get set for school!” Suddenly, I was spending part of the day in a new place with new people. I remember feeling a little nervous at first, but that feeling was quickly overtaken by joy. Strangers quickly became friends, activities were fun and interesting

and I adjusted to the new environment more each day until it quickly became my new normal.

Now at 18, the feelings involved in facing a new world are more complicated and the decisions involved in preparing to attend my first year of college can seem overwhelming. From what to major in and what dorm to live in, to what courses to

take and which meal plan to select, there are seemingly an endless string of choices to be made. Add to that not being able to return every night to the home I grew up in, and the magnitude of my current situation becomes much greater.

Though life is very different now, some aspects of the August to September school preparation season have stayed the same.

The back to school shopping remains a highlight, with Ikea and Amazon now added to top shopping destinations. These trips are for much more than school supplies now, involving color palette selection and items including a bedspread, closet organizer and under bed storage containers. I never thought picking a towel color could be so difficult.

With millions of freshmen starting in colleges across the country this fall, I am certainly not alone in experiencing this lat-

est and most significant academic life shift. Whether staying in San Diego County or moving across the country, we are uprooting our lives and, for most of us, living away from family for the first time. Though it can feel intimidating, there is also an incredible opportunity for growth in new environments. Putting yourself out there, no matter your age, is always a challenge. However, facing challenges can bring satisfaction and confidence. Attending club fairs and other new student activities is one

way to meet others looking for connections on a new campus. It is also helpful for us all to remember most peers will be in a similar position as they manage the nerves and excitement navigating their new school and living situations.

With the countdown to my departure date nearing, it is difficult not to think too far ahead about what this year will bring. While our eyes are often focused on the finish line, it is important to slow down and appreciate the beginning of a new chapter—including both the joy and challenges that lie ahead—and relish in the adventure of the unknown. While I will probably not skip onto campus the first day, I hope to embrace my inner Dora and explore my new world by keeping a positive—if not preschool level enthusiastic—mindset.

¡Listos

para la escuela!

Gen Z: The Next Generation Is Making Moves

Housing Market

Generation Z is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership. A recent survey identified some top motivators:

• 34% want to start or grow their family.

• 20.8% say that homeownership gives them more stability.

• A fixed rate mortgage allows you to lock in your monthly payment for the duration of your loan.

• Gen Z buyers are focusing on more affordable areas to boost buying power and prefer open air and suburban spaces.

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re a member of Gen Z and are getting started on your home buying journey, or if you want to learn more abolut the process, let’s connect!

Fabulous Figs!

Did you know that figs are one of the oldest known fruits in the world? Ficus carica L., commonly known as “fig,” originated in Asia, expanding throughout the Mediterranean region by the Greeks and Romans. Sumerian stone tablets show figs in culinary use as far back as 2500 B.C. Figs can now be found in most parts of the world, with Turkey as the current world leader in both fig production and consumption. The United States currently ranks eighth in global fig production, with nearly all of the country’s figs being grown in California, where the fruit was introduced less than 250 years ago.

Figs are an extremely nutritious fruit, containing high levels of calcium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins E and B. They are known to increase energy levels, strengthen immunity, and aid digestion. The potassium within figs can help to flush excess sodium from your system, helping to relieve high blood pressure, which could lead to heart disease and stroke. Potassium also works with the fig’s high calcium levels to improve bone density and mineral structure.

Before sugar was readily accessible, figs were often used to provide natural sweetness to dishes, hence “figgy pudding.” Many people are returning to this practice as a healthier alternative to refined sugars. There are multiple variants of figs, each with its own unique flavor, allowing figs to be utilized in a wide variety of dishes.

Figs can be eaten raw or dried, preserved into homemade jams, added to charcuterie boards, roasted and placed atop ice cream, mixed into a cake batter, and so much more. As figs are the herald of late summer, September is the perfect month to stop by, grab some fresh figs, and enjoy the subtle sweetness of a quickly approaching fall.

To Grandmother’s House We Go

By Hattie Foote

My nine-year-old daughter looked around at us, apparently bored with our company and said, “Welp, I’m going to pack a bag and head to sleepover at GG’s house.” I couldn’t blame her, I too wanted to go where treats and snuggles were unlimited. My mom living five blocks away is one of my life’s greatest gifts and I don’t think my kids fully grasp how lucky they are. I explained to them that back in my day I would only get to see my grandparents about twice a year. They were horrified and impressed that I would fly by myself at a very young age to visit them on the East Coast. They are some of my most treasured memories and I appreciate them more now than ever.

This past year I lost both of my grandmothers and my grandfather. Top that with the searing pain of losing my dad in 2021, and I have been knee deep in grief. I know this occurrence is not unique to me, it’s the human experience, the circle of life. I feel so lucky to have had my grandparents in my life for 39 years, what a gift. And how special for my children to have known their great grandparents! We took the kids to Rochester, NY to visit my Grannie for her 100th birthday last year, and I got to show them all the things I did growing up. I didn’t want to say goodbye when it was time to go, knowing it was probably the last time I would hug her. She slipped her usual $20 in my hand, and I laughed and called it her drug dealer move. As our little American Eagle plane departed over upstate New York, I sipped my cheap iced chardonnay and listened to Marjorie by Taylor Swift. I don’t recommend that travel combo, a surefire way to have people mildly concerned over the sobbing lady in 5A.

After losing Grannie, I lost my Mati and Coke in New Mexico within months of

each other. I think the hardest part was watching my mom lose her parents, I hated that. I found that everyone deals with grief differently and we all need to be patient with each other. Also, a sense of humor and wine is helpful. At this point I can see the beauty in the process, I find comfort in photos and stories. I wear my Mati’s aquamarine ring she gave me; I watch videos of my Coke wearing a wig and a leather vest while goofily singing to our family, and Chris reminds me often how I remind him of Grannie. Because that’s just it, they still live in us. It’s up to us to tell their stories and honor their memory. I do struggle with not being able to ask more questions that I should have asked. However, a few years back Chris went behind all our backs and

worked with Grannie to tell her story. He asked her questions, and she would take her time and write back thoughtfully worded responses. When they were finished, he printed everything and had them made into books for us. It’s the most touching gift, and I highly encourage you to ask the questions if you are still able to.

In the process of understanding our family history, we did Ancestory.com which I am obsessed with. I always knew I was German but didn’t know I was a 50% super German! I mean it makes sense; the Heidi Klum resemblance is uncanny. I see my strong Croatian blood from Mati and my sister, cousins, and I blame any wild streaks on that DNA. My son Hunter got a rogue 2% Spanish inheritance that he is very proud of. Someone told me Ancestry kits are a great White Elephant gift and that is going to be my go-to this holiday season. Gosh, my intention of this column was to talk about honoring your grandparents, and

all of the sudden I’m crying and hawking DNA kits. In conclusion, grandparents are the actual best, and we love you so much! Happy Grandparents Day (September 10th mark your calendars)!

Grandparent’s Love

... nothing is sweeter

There’s and old comedic line, that goes something like this: If I knew grandchildren were so much fun I would have had them first. We love being grandparents, to see the continuation of joy and love in our family. For us, it has been wonderful watching our children become loving parents. We look forward to many more grandchildren. They are truly God’s blessing.

Harry and Nancy Blair

Awee bit of heaven drifted down from above - A handful of happiness, a heart full of love. The mystery of life, so sacred and so sweet. The giver of joy, so deep and complete. Precious and priceless, so lovable too. The world’s sweetest miracle, my grandchild, is you. - Helen Steiner Rice

Jane Braun

My name is Gwen Hovland. I am 78 years old and grandmother to teenagers Cadence (14) and Kylan (12). They flood my soul with light and laughter! I remind them of their “old country inheritance”freedom of faith, honesty, hard work, black licorice, red cowboy boots, Dakota Rodeos, secret Norske strawberry pie recipes and finally, this: “ When you get a chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” - Gud Verlsigne.U.

Gwen Hovland

The mother-child bond is special, but the bond between a grandmother and grandchild? Unbreakable. I have enjoyed all 6 of my grandchildren since they were born. Unforgettable.

Olga Minvielle Stevens

Having our granddaughter, Stevie, is the best, especially for Megan, who always wanted a girl. She brings so much joy and laughter to our already crazy family!

Raising our children was the single most rewarding experience of our long lives. Being a grandparent means rediscovering and enjoying the joys of those years. You get to see the world through their eyes and are reminded of so many wondrous things by answering their innocent questions. When we are with the grandchildren, the meaning of life becomes crystal clear, and the reason for living is self-evident.

Fred and Holly Koorey

Bill and Megan Stanley

Iam so blessed to have 5 grands! 3 girls and 2 boys. They are everything to me. Smart, funny, fun, kind, loving, generous of heart ... and mostly, they love me! Madeleine, George, Penelope, Makenzie & Rhys.

SSydna Worthington

Being ‘Mimi’ to Luke & Josh is one of the greatest blessings of my life. They are fun, they are smart, and they are great chocolate chip cookie makers. They now know ‘Mimi’s’ “secret” recipe! They are my “Golden” boys from Golden, Colorado.

Suzanne ‘Mimi’ Manuel

Oppa was late into the office yesterday ... Dr. Kora was in the house. With all solemnity, a thorough exam was undertaken ... eyes, ears, heart-beat .. all were fully examined. Prescriptions were made ... and with one last hammer-test of the reflexes (and then another & another & another - the doctor just wanted to be complete with this particular test), Oppa was released to work. In one simple moment, all things are possible at once ... and as a grandparent there is nothing more beautiful than being a part of that exam ... Oppa might be late again, tomorrow!

Dean K. Eckenroth Jr

Making Memories

By Christine Johnson

There are a lot of “holidays” that seem as though they were created by Hallmark just to sell cards and make people feel guilty if they forget to honor that day. September has a special day on the calendar that truly is one that should not be missed. September 10th is Grandparents Day.

Grandparents Day officially became a national holiday when President Jimmy Carter signed off on the day in 1978. It is meant to show the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. I never forget this holiday. I have been blessed to have two grandmothers who have touched my life in endless ways. One lived to be 100, and the other still amazing at the age of 102. There is an incredible bond that is shared with that many years together. My daughter is fortunate enough to have the love and support of my parents – her grandparents, as well as being a part of her great grandmothers’ lives for most of her life.

I look back on the days at my grandmothers with love, laughter and many lessons learned. I spent a lot of time growing up at my one grandmother’s house and have so

(And Drinks)

many incredible memories of that time in my life. My uncle and aunt lived next door, we cooked together, took trips to the store, and shared family dinners and so much laughter. There was an actual worn path in the grass between the two homes! When I think about how small the houses were and all the family that came and went, it shows you don’t need big spaces to bond and create a lifetime of memories. One thing from those years I have always treasured is my grandmother sending me handwritten letters.

Always able to express what she was feeling and giving me support and the right words along the way. I have kept many of those letters, and was taught by my grandmothers and my mother how important it was to receive a note or letter where someone took the time to put their feelings on paper by hand. I have passed that custom on to my daughter. Taking the time to send a thank you note is a lost art today. One that was created by an older generation and still appreciated by them now. I think this may be where my love of writing began.

Our grandparents live on the East Coast, so we don’t see them very often, but I cherish the excitement on my daughter’s face when she knows we are visiting them. We just hang out, talk, share meals and go shopping, but it’s the time together that creates those life-long memories.

Thank you to all the grandparents who are part of the fabric of our lives. We should never forget the strength, wisdom, and guidance they can provide. They have created traditions for our families and given the experience of their years for us to carry on. Not everything is meant to be shiny and new… some of the best things are older, wiser and more traditional. So, in keeping with honoring our enchanting grandparents, I am introducing you to the Sidecar. This drink is said to have been created in 1921 at the Ritz Paris. Named after a motorcycle sidecar owned by a gentleman in Paris, and later made popular in London. Take the time to share this elegant drink with a grandparent you love.

Sidecar Cocktail Mixology

Ingredients

2 ounces cognac

1 ounce lemon juice

1 ounce triple sec

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all ingredients. Shake well until the shaker becomes almost frozen. Strain liquid into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or Luxardo cherry and enjoy!

Photo by Hattie Foote

“TOUR OF WINGS” - POW/MIA WINGS

Superhero steel wings to bring awareness of MIA from the Vietnam War.

To commemorate the closing of the Coronado Historical Association’s Open Doors: Vietnam POWs Fifty Years of Freedom exhibit and National POW/MIA Awareness Day, CHA is hosting the “Tour of Wings,” an international tour to raise awareness of Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA). The impressive steel wings are comprised of dog tag “feathers” that represent the 1579 still MIA from the Vietnam War. Each dog tag is embossed with the name of the MIA veteran, branch of service, location last seen and date of disappearance-similar to the POW/MIA memorial bracelets concerned citizens wore during the Vietnam War in hopes of their return.

The POW/MIA Wings is an art piece based on the wings that belong to the super heroine character LT Williams in the story Purple Foxes United. The historical fiction story was inspired by the Son Tay raid, the most daring mission executed to save Prisoners of War. Many of the characters are based on legends of carrier aviation and Honor Flight San Diego alumni veterans. Some of the characters you will recognize as they are Coronado island icons such as WWII paratrooper Tom Rice, Distinguished Flying Cross recipient Commander Chuck Sweeney, “Ace of Two Oceans” Commander Dean “Diz” Laird, and USMC combat pilot Major General Bob Butcher.

“It’s been a long time in the making, and I’m grateful to share it with the world as I believe it to be an expression of God’s divine love and hope for humanity,” stated CJ Machado, creator of the Purple Foxes United story. The story includes animation, anime and clever robot characters to ignite the curiosity within our youth and encourage them to want to learn more about our military history and some of the characters highlighted based on real-life veterans and their experiences.

It took years to complete the POW/MIA Wings part of the project and it was a collaborative effort involving many talented artists and sponsors. Jay Stargaard with Stargaard Art welded the steel wings, John

The POW/MIA Wings at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Courtesy of CJ Machado.

Campbell with VetArt.org constructed the display stand and thanks to the generous support of Logo Tags, the exclusive dog tag supplier of our military, the wings are now on tour for public display.

The POW/MIA Wings were featured in the annual Coronado Fourth of July Parade with Force-Con and received the highest honors, the Admiral Stockdale Award and

Military Heroes Award – 2022 & 2023. They will be on display at the Coronado Historical Association located at 1100 Orange Avenue from September 12 through September 15, National POW/MIA Awareness Day, when CHA’s exhibit closes.

On Tuesday, September 12, a special presentation will introduce the Tour of Wings with a short film to include segments from

the Pueblo and Courage films by Director Bill Lowe and Legends of Carrier Aviation produced by the Tailhook Association and Speed & Angels Productions. A rare panel with the “Pueblo Incident” crew members Bob Chica and Earl Phares, WWII child POW Tom Crosby, and POW Legends of Carrier Aviation will follow. This event is open to the public and is very limited with seating. To purchase tickets, visit: www. coronadohistory.org/tickets/open-doorsexhibit-closing-event

The “Tour of Wings” will be on display on the west coast in various locations until Veteran’s Day 2023. For more information on the west coast Tour of Wings schedule, visit: www.Force-Con.com

September 15, 2023 is recognized as National POW/MIA Awareness Day. To raise awareness and support the POW/ MIA families, a free digital download of the Purple Foxes United story is available online www.Force-Con.com, our gift to you in honor of the POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War:

Former POWs Lt. Col. Tony Marshall and Capt. Jack Ensch stand in CHA’s Open Doors exhibit. Courtesy of the Coronado Historical Association.

The cover of the Purple Foxes United story. Courtesy of CJ Machado.

The crew of USS Pueblo arrive back home after their release on 23 December 1968. Courtesy of CJ Machado.

Island Icon: Wayne Strickland

By Virginia Ryan, Coronado Historical Association Intern

You probably know retired Coronado Fire Captain Wayne Strickland from the many things he has done for the Coronado community, like his service in the Fire Department and later his work in suicide prevention.

A native Californian, Strickland was born in Red Bluff California in 1945, but two months after his birth moved to Monterrey Park in East Los Angeles. As a young adult, he joined the Navy’s “Kiddie Cruise” Program, which allowed him to enlist before eighteen and get out before twenty-one. During his young adulthood was the Vietnam War draft. During his time, he served on the USS Galveston from 1964 to 1966, alongside the USS Midway off the coast of Vietnam in 1965 and when he got out, he enrolled into San Diego City College for Fire Science.

Strickland had been introduced to the idea of firefighting from his neighbor. He described how his neighbor was always home and was an extremely fun guy to be around, as well as incredibly handy. So in 1967, he joined the Coronado Fire Department, enjoying the strong sense of community and close colleagues he had.

The Coronado Bridge was built two years after he joined the Fire Department, with the original design having no lights, no center divider, or no barrier wall. “In the fire department, you see a lot of bad stuff,” he said in an interview. “But you can make a

big difference.” All the time, he saw terrible head-on collisions. First he was able to help get a center divider on the bridge and the strand to prevent head-on collisions. But, he also wanted to stop bridge suicides. Since its debut, more than four hundred fifty people have died by suicide on the bridge. And Strickland has been advocating for bridge suicide prevention since he

got out of the Department. Partnering with suicide survivors Steve Bouchard and Bertha Loaiza, his aim is to set up a fence on the bridge, to the city known as a “vertical cantilevered net” to prevent suicides, but Caltrans is slow to build it. Strickland believes Senator Hueso’s bill 656 and that more awareness will help bring Caltrans to complete the project.

His journey to suicide prevention started when he joined the San Diego-Coronado Suicide Prevention Group on Facebook. Strickland recounted how he encountered a man in the group that wanted to take his own life, so he met him at the American Legion in National City and bought lunch for the man. Talking with the man, Strickland realized that all he needed was someone to listen to him and tell him that things will get better.

But when talking about the culture surrounding suicide in Coronado and in wider San Diego, Strickland noted how people don’t want to talk about it. He said, “You know, suicides do happen and you gotta tell people that they’re loved and that you care about them. Forgive people, because holding a grudge is no good. You gotta forgive people. Forgive them for what they do and if they do really wrong they go to jail, and even those people get forgiven.”

Survivors like Steve Bouchard who jumped and Bertha Loaiza (whose mother jumped while holding her when she was three years old) are people that he works

with to help spread awareness. Survivors help humanize the subject and make it easier to understand from someone first hand. Strickland helped the both of them film Daniel Kennedy’s award winning documentary film Living Through It, where the survivors give their testimony about the subject.

Outside of suicide prevention, Strickland previously volunteered at the USS Midway, and now volunteers for Sharp Coronado Hospital and with Coronado Rotary Club. Groups he is a part of are the Coronado Rotary Club, Coronado VFW, Coronado Island Beer Club, Imperial Beach American Legion and Chula Vista Elks Lodge. He is a past Commodore of the Coronado Yacht Club and recently became Commodore of the San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs in December 2022.

Anyone who encounters Strickland is lucky to get to know him, from his bright personality to his ability to deeply empathize with others. Coronado is grateful to have him.

From Fork to Trail:

The Colorado National Monument, just outside Grand Junction, was established May 24, 1911 by President William Howard Taft’s Presidential Proclamation. Its 23-mile-long Rimrock Drive was hewed out of sheer sandstone walls by workmen of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps.

Grand Junction’s Epicurean Delights and Outdoor Exploration Await!

Okay, okay. You’ve been to Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Aspen, Vail and maybe even Durango. So you think you’ve seen and experienced the best of Colorado…

Allow me to introduce you to a spot you might not have thought to include on your Colorado itinerary. That would be Grand Junction.

This city lies on the Western side of Colorado, as opposed to the Front Range, of the state. In fact, it lies at the foot of the Book Cliffs, a spectacular 200-mile cliff face – the longest on the planet – that marks the start of the Rocky Mountains.

Grand Junction is the heart of the Grand Valley, where you’ll find some of the most fertile land in the nation, extending from the communities of Palisade to the east and to Fruita to the west. Today, this verdant valley produces some of the sweetest peaches, cherries, apples, apricots and flavorful wines you’ll find anywhere. It’s not surprising given its location at the confluence of the Gunnison and Colorado rivers, the latter of which was known as the

Grant

Grand River up until July 25, 1921, hence the city’s name.

Just 10 minutes from Grand Junction’s downtown, the majestic mountains and towering red rock monoliths of the Colorado National Monument rise high into the sky. Managed by the National Park Service, it’s sort of a mini Grand Canyon – without the crowds.

In Downtown Grand Junction, I experienced a discernible welcoming vibe. That’s probably due to the fact that the Downtown includes more than 100 locally owned stores, memorable restaurants, craft breweries, local wineries and more. Much more!

Grand Junction, with a population of 68,034, is the largest city between Denver and Salt Lake City. The city’s wonderful and warm small town spirit is matched only by the Grand Valley’s abundant and scenic open spaces that enticed me to venture out, explore and breathe deep.

Spend a few days here. I’ve got plenty of ideas on the pages following that will keep you happily engaged.

Story and photographs by Kris

Guacamole, Tacoparty

Bananas Foster, Devil’s Kitchen

While I was visiting Grand Junction, a friend posted an Instagram photo of bumper-to-bumper traffic with the caption “Next time I plan a trip to Zion National Park will be on a Tuesday in February.”

An even better idea would be to head to Grand Junction and the nearby Colorado National Monument. It’s the national park you’ve never heard of!

Well, to be sure, it was established by President William Howard Taft as a national monument, not a national park. Taft had visited the Grand Junction area during the peach festival of 1909 and after an intense lobbying campaign led by local explorer John Otto. The somewhat ec-

centric Otto arrived in Grand Junction in 1906 and chose to live in the remote and rugged region, dubbing the canyons, peaks and valleys “the heart of the world.” Succumbing to Otto’s persistent and persuasive campaign, Taft used the 1906 Antiquities Act to issue a Presidential Proclamation in 1911, declaring the 32,000-square-mile region a national monument, thereby preserving the land from development.

It’s just 10 minutes to the park’s east entrance from downtown Grand Junction, and there’s the west entrance, near Fruita, where you’ll likely spot some Desert Bighorn Sheep just a couple of miles in. Be sure to use the turnout to get a good

view of Balanced Rock, a 700-ton boulder that’s perched above a flatbed sandstone shelf. Two miles further down Rimrock Drive, the Saddlehorn Visitor Center offers a splendid introduction to the monument. It’s staffed with knowledgeable park rangers and there’s a recently completed 18-minute film that’s shown on a loop, plus lots of exhibits, a souvenir shop filled with books, maps and gifts, and restrooms.

Rimrock Drive was built over several years, beginning in 1931 by the Civilian Conservation Corps in a Works Progress Administration project initiated under President Franklyn D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal.”

Colorado National Monument

Today, the drive remains the only paved road through the monument and includes three tunnels, with clearances of 16 feet at the center, but only 10 feet and a couple of inches at each side, making the road inhospitable to large RVs. On the other hand, bikers adore the 23-mile route; you need to keep a sharp eye out for them!

It’s a magnificent drive with lots of overlooks and trailheads along the road. Three of the most popular hiking trails are the Window Rock Trail, a short gentle trail with rim-side views of Monument and Wedding Canyons; the Canyon Rim Trail,

a one-mile loop that I took from the Visitor Center that follows the rim of Wedding Canyon; and for advanced hikers, the Monument Canyon Trail, a 11.6-mile roundtrip with steep switchbacks into Monument Canyon from the rim. Once on the canyon floor, it’s a moderate and scenic hike.

If you’re not planning on extensive hiking, plan on two to three hours to drive the entire route, with stops at the Visitor Center and snapping photographs along the way. Then you can spend the rest of the day in Downtown Grand Junction, shopping, eating and maybe enjoying a nice brewski.

A Desert Bighorn Sheep sauntered across my path on Rimrock Drive, just below Balanced Rock, a 700-ton boulder perched precariously on a sandstone pedestal.

You can park at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center, then stroll out back and hike on a number of trails through Monument Canyon and Wedding Canyon.

Grand Junction was incorporated July 22, 1882, although human civilization in the area dates back thousands of years. It was long inhabited by the Ute people, among other indigenous cultures.

The Denver and Rio Grande railroads also came to town in 1882 and the Interstate highway system reached the city in the 1960s. These connections supported the economic growth of agriculture across the Grand Junction area, and in later years wholesale goods and energy production.

Between the river and the railroad, Grand Junction became a regional hub of agricultural and mining industries that transformed the downtown.

In the 1950’s, a time when many cities were looking towards pedestrian malls, Downtown Grand Junction embraced the concept of a chicane, which is a serpentine street design with pockets of green space and public art.

The downtown was first recognized nationally in 1962 when Operation Foresight began to reconstruct Main Street into a “downtown shopping park” with landscaping, parking and updated streets for which the city was awarded All America City recognition by Look magazine.

Coal and shale oil drilling was the lifeblood of Grand Junction for much of the 20th Century. Exxon closed abruptly in 1983 on what locals called “Black Sunday;” Unocal closed in 1991.

Fortunately, by the turn of the century, Grand Junction had already undertaken the necessary steps to develop its downtown. Tourism and the area’s natural wonders including its agricultural products took center stage, and in recent years major medical centers have provided a new business base.

Downtown Grand Junction

Colorful patios, trees, planters and sculptures fill Downtown Grand Junction.

Ramblebine Brewing Company is a popular stop on Main Street.

Today, Grand Junction’s Downtown is celebrated as an innovative and successful downtown revitalization strategy, the design of which is part of the unique character and history of the community. Downtown is even a designated park.

I loved meandering down Main Street, with several Victorian-era buildings rising on the avenue’s sides and a wide center median. In addition, wide sidewalks are filled with pedestrian seating areas and restaurant patios. I enjoyed perusing books on the history of the region at Grand Valley Books and Out West Books. Want more area history? Stop by the Museum of the West, just a block off Main Street. Here you can ride a stagecoach, see the firearms that outlaws used, sit in a one-room schoolhouse and climb the 75-foot-tall Sterling T. Smith Educational Tower for a 360-degree view of the town and surrounding mountains.

Throughout the district, shade trees provided dappled light. I took time to view some of the 115 sculptures and murals that are placed throughout the downtown, part of the year-round Art on the Corner outdoor sculpture exhibit established in

1984 by local sculptor, Dave Davis. To date, more than 750 sculptures have rotated throughout the space and several have been sold. I noticed that a number of sculptures had been placed inside former circular fountains. One by one, the fountains are being turned into planters. Yes, even the Centennial State is also experiencing drought!

Throughout the summer (this year through Sept. 21) the Market on Main, Downtown’s signature event, runs on Thursday evenings, showcasing farm products from the Western Slope and all of Colorado. The program is sponsored by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, one of the city’s largest employers.

Downtown also holds First Friday’s, where art galleries and many other shops stay open until nine on the First Friday of each month with many artists on site.

There are many breweries, two super wine-tasting rooms, dozens of great restaurants, in the Downtown core, several of which I’ve listed in the “If You Go” section. They are interspersed with local shops – in fact, I don’t recall seeing any chain stores in

Grand Junction’s Downtown. Now that’s impressive!

Something I found curious was that the city’s Downtown had been developed several blocks from one of the area’s greatest assets, the Colorado River.

Community planners recognized this several years ago and created a plan, now well under development to better connect Downtown with what is now called the “River District.” It includes Los Colonias park, which features open spaces with picnic tables, shelters, restrooms and, best of all, an outdoor amphitheater that now hosts outdoor concerts and events. Kannah Creek’s Edgewater Brewery is conveniently located next door and the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens is a block away.

Additional riverfront developments include Dos Rios, a 58-acre mixed-used residential and commercial development; a Riverfront Trail and a two-mile “Lunch Loops” trail system, so named because it provided a handy biking trail that can be enjoyed by Downtown business workers during their lunch breaks.

Art on the Corner sculptures and murals have filled Downtown Grand Junction with color and creativity since the programs inception in 1984.

Trail Life Brewing (right) shares its space with next door neighbor, The Gear Junction, outdoor outfitters.

Hotel Maverick – on the campus of Colorado Mesa University

Hotel Maverick had just celebrated its third anniversary when I stayed at this impressive “teaching hotel” on the campus of Colorado Mesa University. Maybe not coincidentally it’s rated Grand Junction’s number one hotel on Trip Advisor. I found both the service and product of both the hotel and its fine dining restaurant, Devil’s Kitchen, to be top notch.

The hotel is owned and was built by the university, home of the “Mavericks,” and managed by Charlestowne Hotels, which manages several college-affiliated hotels in its portfolio.

Founded in 1925, Colorado Mesa University is a public institution offering liberal arts, professional, and technical programs at the master’s, bachelor’s, associate and certificate levels – 119 academic programs in total. It is the premier university in Western Colorado.

Hotel Maverick works with students majoring in CMU’s Hospitality Management program and students enrolled in the culinary program at Western Colorado Community College. I sat down with hotel GM Tammy Anderson, who has been with the hotel since it opened in the height of the pandemic, to learn a bit more.

Hotel Maverick is a 60-room boutique hotel (boutique hotels are under 100 rooms) spread out over four floors. Tammy said that 80 percent of the 99-person hotel staff, including herself, is comprised of existing and former students at CMU.

The hotel internships run for six months. “Students begin at the front desk, one of the most integral parts of the job,” she said. “It’s the first and last point of contact with a guest. The front desk team’s role is critical in ensuring that guests feel welcome and enjoy their stay.”

Tammy continued: “Interns will also work a couple of weeks in housekeeping, learning to properly clean rooms, then work with maintenance for a few days. They’ll gain experience working with our sales department, then food and beverage and help with a banquet or two. They’ll shadow a hostess, but we don’t allow hospitality students in the back of the kitchen.”

The students also spend a full day with the general manager. “Our internships are all-encompassing and when they leave, they’ll have a really good idea is this busi-

ness they want to be in or not.

Sometimes interns will protest that they have to work nights, weekends and holidays. “I tell them this is the real world – weekends and holidays are often when people want to travel,” Tammy said. “It’s good for them to figure out if this is the right fit before they get too far into their career.”

Tammy’s own career included an internship through CMU at the Grand Junction Convention & Visitors Bureau, now called Visit Grand Junction, and other area hotels

My spacious hotel room featured a headboard to my bed made of “beetle-killed pine” from salvaged wood from pine trees killed by the Mountain Pine Beetle. These tiny beetles killed more than 100 million acres of trees throughout the U. S. and Canada, including thousands of trees in nearby Big Bear. The wood left behind features distinct blue striations and is structurally sound if harvested within two years.

Hotel Maverick

and resorts in Western Colorado.

Devil’s Kitchen restaurant and bar is located on the hotel’s fourth floor, and features stunning views of the university and the Book Cliffs beyond from its interior dining room and rooftop deck. It has quickly made a name for itself in culinary circles and with this writer.

While some might think the restaurant is a play on words from Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen TV Show, the restaurant takes its name from a popular trail at the Colorado National Monument.

I enjoyed a beautifully prepared and presented dinner at Devil’s Kitchen, which is best described by sharing photos of my three-course meal. I only made a dent in that fabulous Bananas Foster dessert, meant for two people (or three or four!). But I felt it was my duty to order it, as part of my unrelenting efforts to educate my dear readers. Or, you might say the devil made me do it!

Devil’s Kitchen restaurant serves lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, brunch and dinner on weekends. Happy hour is 3 – 6 p.m. daily and all day Monday.

My fabulous server, Maresa, expertly prepared Bananas Foster tableside that featured cherries, bananas, vanilla bean ice cream, banana liqueur and rum, which flamed brightly.

Devil’s Kitchen has views of the Colorado Mesa University campus and Book Cliff Mountains beyond.

Deviled eggs are deep fried in tempura egg white.

Homemade lavender fudge was a most welcomed welcome gift.

Tacoparty and Bin 707

Meet Josh Niernberg, executive chef and owner of Bin 707 Foodbar and Tacoparty, two of Grand Junction’s most renowned and innovative restaurants.

Niernberg has again this year been named a semi-finalist Outstanding Chef in the annual James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards, and he received the same honor in 2022. The awards were canceled due to Covid in 2021. The previous year Josh was a semifinalist for the Outstanding Chef in the Mountain Region.

Josh’s wife, Jodi, is a Grand Junction native while Josh grew up on the Front Range where he began his restaurant career in the early 2000s, working with some of Denver’s most innovative restaurants. He also earned a BA in industrial science from Metropolitan State University of Denver, which he has since put to good use designing some exciting restaurant settings.

The Niernbergs moved to Grand Junction at the height of the 2008 recession.

Jodi’s father was a partner in a real estate venture that included a restaurant. The operator left and “Our plan was to come here to operate the restaurant in order to sell it,” Josh said. “That was the first Bin 707.”

“We eventually found a buyer for that property,” Josh said. “But the restaurant had developed a following and we moved downtown.”

Josh and Jodi, who served as beverage director at the time, had discovered the wealth and unbeatable lifestyle of the Grand Valley.

“With the farm-to-table movement, we were smack dab in the middle of it,” Josh said, paying tribute to the bounty of the valley’s rich agricultural products. “We’ve really been lucky with fresh produce, with some farmers growing crops ex-

Josh Niernberg, owner of Grand Junction’s Tacoparty and Bin 707 Foodbar, was named a semi-finalist Outstanding Chef for both 2022 and 2023 in the annual James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards

Photo courtesy of Bin 707

clusively for us. We also use Farm Runners, an independent delivery service, based in the town next to us.” Farm Runners works with 77 family farms on the Western Slope, providing seasonal produce, meat and dairy.

While focusing on local products and sustainable practices, Josh’s vision is also global. “Grand Junction’s closest ports are San Diego and Los Angeles, which opens us up to the Pacific Rim, and our closest border is Mexico. Therefore, we have more regional influences from Asian and Mexican cuisine than we do to French and Italian.

“Colorado is also famous for its beer industry and that’s largely due to the grains grown here,” Josh said. “But those grains haven’t yet made their way into the food system. I’m currently working on a new menu. I’m buying barley in raw form from a malting company and using it in many ways. I’ll cook it like a risotto, ferment it and use it on a steak dish, or a bison and

barley dish. The liquid that comes off it can be used as a stock. We are also dehydrating it and puffing it for salads.’

Bin 707 Foodbar is a premier fine dining restaurant with 200 seats, focusing on local, natural, organic and sustainable foods and wines. The property includes a 700-squarefoot heirloom tomato and fresh vegetable garden and the region’s most extensive and eclectic wine list, featuring more than 150 bottles.

Tacoparty is a casual, order-at-the-counter eatery. It’s fast, but this is not fast food, not by a long shot. Here you can order the taco lunch of your dreams, although your dreams probably didn’t anticipate twicefried yam tacos, rockfish tempura tacos or pork belly tacos with apricots. Six varieties of tacos are offered on the menu each day, from Josh’s array of more than 100 taco recipes. “Our menu is a celebration, or party if you will, of the local ingredients grown, sourced and made within our Grand Valley,” he explains.

Tacoparty’s guacamole is the most colorful and delicious version of the popular dish I’ve ever encountered. The popular avocado dish includes a blackberry gastrique, radish pico, strawberry, Serrano chili, herbs and amaranth furikake, which is a combination of amaranth seeds, with a sweet and nutty taste and the dry Japanese condiment, furikake.

Plans are bright for the Niernbergs, and more of Josh’s offerings to come. Jodi is home nights with their two young boys while Josh is making plans to move Bin 707 Foodbar to 400 Main Street, with an opening planned for next year. The present Bin 707 will become Jojo’s Dinette/Superette, also in early 2024. That sounds like fun!

Enstrom Toffee & Confectionery

Step aside, Almond Roca! I’ve discovered a richer, more buttery and less brittle toffee produced in the heart of Grand Junction.

Like the tale of Josh and Jodi Niernberg, this is another sweet success story of a young couple laying down roots in Grand Junction, albeit nearly a century ago.

Newlyweds Chester (“Chet”) and Vernie Enstrom moved to Grand Junction in 1929, and Chet, with partner Harry Jones, established the Jones-Enstrom Ice Cream Co.

Note the year: 1929. You know what happened – the stock market crashed that fall and the Great Depression ensued. But Chet, educated about refrigeration – a must in the ice cream biz – harnessed his expertise to become the go-to refrigeration guy in the Grand Valley. Chet and Harry continued their ice cream business for 30 years, and all the while Chet was perfecting his hobby of candy making, much of which found its way into the ice cream.

During World War II, when sugar and butter was rationed, Chet developed a novel service: parents of servicemen would provide him with butter and sugar and he would supply the rest of the ingredients to whip up toffee to send to their boys overseas. By 1960, he had perfected his almond toffee recipe and he and Vernie established

the Enstrom Candy Co., a mom-and-pop shop that made caramels, hand-dipped chocolates and their beloved toffee that today, like yesterday, has only five ingredients, but all of the highest quality.

Over the past 64 years, the company has remained family owned, now helmed by the fourth generation.

While you can order Enstrom candy online, you’ll have to visit the factory store in Downtown Grand Junction to sample Enstrom’s incredibly delicious ice cream. Sixteen of their 50 flavors are offered at a time, with seasonal favorites rotating in, such as Palisade Peach (made with fabulous

Grand Valley peaches from Palisade) or Pecan Praline (Enstrom makes the pralines in-house). One of the most requested concoctions is the Tahitian Vanilla hot fudge sundae – the hot fudge sauce and whipping cream are made in-house, too.

The store opens at 7 a.m. on weekdays, and if you visit anytime between 8 a.m. and noon, you’ll see the candy making artisans at work through large picture windows. There’s a full espresso coffee bar as well, plus the store is filled with boxed candy and other gift ideas. It’s all great fun… there’s nothing like being a kid in a candy store!

You can watch through large picture windows as talented candy artisans make Enstrom’s famous toffee in small batches.

Founders Chester and Vernie Enstrom

Photo courtesy of Enstom Toffee & Confectionery

I wanted to experience at least one outdoor adventure in the Grand Junction area, and at first it was going to be a rafting trip down the Colorado River. But heavy snows over the Grand Mesa above the valley were still melting and the fast-moving waters caused all excursions to be put on hold.

Instead I chose something completely out of my comfort zone, and shouldn’t we all do that from time to time when we travel to parts unknown? And so it came to pass, that I went off-roading on a RZR (pronounced razor) on trails at the foot of the massive Book Cliffs. My two-hour sunset ride began at the offices of the aptly named Adrenalin Driven Adventure Tours where I met Lewis Baker, my guide and driver and owner (along with his wife) of the company. Lewis provided me with a helmet and got me strapped into it along with the full harness aboard the Polaris RZR, a side-byside off-road vehicle. It was pretty state-ofthe-art with an onboard GPS system and, as I would soon learn, an awesome off-road suspension system.

Before we got started, Lewis asked me, “How do you feel about roller coasters?” From the look of terror on my face, Lewis rightly figured he would need to break me in gently.

Within two blocks of the check-in office we drove off the highway and onto dirt trails. The area surrounding Grand Junction is over 76 percent public lands, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, totaling over one and a half million acres.

Lewis has been doing off-roading so long that he actually created some of the BLM trails. For the first half hour or so, we putted along, with an occasion burst of speed, with Lewis demonstrating the RZR’s

incredible spring action and maneuverability as we bounced along gullies, through mud, over sand, up and over boulders. It was a gorgeous yet desolate landscape, save for some sage and scrub oak along the way as we drew closer and closer to the Book Cliffs.

At one point, Lewis drove along the narrow spine to the top of a dune with what I considered sheer drops on either side. At the top, he turned off the motor and I had the entire Grand Junction area laid out before me. He told me it was possible to drive down the sides of the mountain – he’d done it – but we wisely turned on a dime and traveled back down the way we came up.

Lewis pointed out that RZRs can handle inclines of 30 degrees or more. As we approached one steep dune, I asked him if I could jump out and film him while he scaled the mountain. No problem, he said. He put the pedal to the metal and soared

up the hill, then plowed back down. Then he asked if I’d like to give it a try.

Now confident in Lewis’s skill set, I agreed. So away we went, Lewis accelerated up the steep face, spun the wheel sharply to the left as we approached the summit and we came careening back down. Such a rush! “Want to do it again?” he asked. “Oh yeah,” said I, and we were off again. Yup, surprise, surprise, I was hooked.

Adrenaline-Driven Adventures offers customizable half and full day tours of other popular Grand Junction area destinations, including Rattlesnake Canyon, home to 35 natural arches, the second highest concentration of natural arches in the world, after the much more highly trafficked Arches National Park. Tours also include the Grand Mesa National Forest, the world’s largest flattop mountain, covering 500 square miles, and featuring more than 300 lakes.

Lewis Baker took me on a wild ride aboard a Polaris RZR through Grand Junction’s BLM lands.

IF YOU GO…

Getting There:

I recommend you drive! Grand Junction is 840 miles from Coronado, via Interstate 15 to Interstate 70. You will encounter some of the country’s most beautiful scenery on the stretch of I-70 between I-15 and Grand Junction. Plan to spend a night in Las Vegas, Nevada or St. George, Utah.

Craft Wine and Beer

Carlson Vineyards Downtown Tasting Room

545 Main Street, Downtown www.carlsonvineyards.com (Winery is at 461 35 Road, Palisade)

Kannah Creek Edgewater Brewing Company

905 Struthers, River District www.kannahcreekbrewingco.com

Ramblebine Brewing Company 457 Colorado Avenue, Downtown www.ramblebinebrewing.com

Rockslide Brew Pub Company 401 Main Street, Downtown www.rockslidebrewpub.com

Shiras Winery & Tasting Room 449 Colorado, Downtown www.shiraswinery.com

Trail Life Brewing 436 Main Street, Downtown www.traillifebrewing.com

Two Rivers Winery & Chateau 2087 Broadway, Redlands www.tworiverswinery.com

Museums, Attractions & Adventures

Adrenalin Driven Adventures

Restaurants

Bin 707 Foodbar 225 North 5th Street www.bin707.com

Café Sol 420 Main Street www.cafesoldgj.com

Devil’s Kitchen 840 Kennedy Avenue www.devilskitchenrestaurant.com

Kiln Coffee Bar 326 Main Street www.kilncoffeebar.com

Kulina Lani Organic Sourdough Bakery 644 North Avenue www.kulinalani.com

Roots Gastrohub 401 Colorado Avenue, Downtown www.rootsgastrohub.com

626 on Rood 626 Rood Avenue www.626onrood.com

Tacoparty 126 South 5th Street, Downtown www.tacopartygj.com

Where to Stay

Hotel Maverick

Visit Grand Junction

The Visit Grand Junction Visitor Center is a good first stop, with three-dimensional exhibits that explain the formation of the land and the area’s history, plenty or brochures plus a knowledgeable staff. Ask them about current sites to view the band of more than 100 wild mustangs!

(970) 256-4060

740 Horizon Drive

The website provides information on accommodations, shopping, restaurants, breweries, and wineries, trip planning ideas, and area hiking. www.visitgrandjunction.com

750 ¼ Horizon Drive

(970) 623-3888 www.adacgj.com

Colorado National Monument www.nps.gov

Enstrom Toffee & Confectionery 701 Colorado Ave., Downtown www.enstrom.com

Museum of the West 462 Ute Avenue, Downtown www.museumofwesternco.com

Western Colorado Botanical Gardens 655 Struthers, River District www.wcbotanic.org

A boutique hotel on the campus of Colorado Mesa University in the heart of Grand Junction.

840 Kennedy Avenue www.thehotelmaverick.com

The Chateau at Two Rivers Winery

Featuring the architecture and décor of a French Country chateau, the inn features ten spacious suites, all with winery views. Complimentary continental breakfast. 2087 Broadway (Redlands area of Grand Junction near Colorado National Monument)

www.tworiverswinery.com

Hampton Inn Grand Junction Downtown

Well located for visiting Downtown shops, restaurants, breweries and wineries, all within walking distance. Free breakfast. Onsite parking is $11 daily.

205 Main Street www.hilton.com

What Should You Ask

Managing your finances and investing for your future are important tasks — and they can be challenging. But you don’t have to go it alone. Many people benefit from working with a financial advisor, someone who knows their needs and goals and makes appropriate recommendations. If you’re considering getting some help, you’ll want to ensure a particular financial advisor is right for you, so it’s a good idea to ask questions. Here are some to consider:

• Do you have a particular investment philosophy?

Some financial advisors follow a particular investment style, while others might focus on specific investments or categories. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these types of approaches, but you might be better served by working with someone who takes a broader view — one that emphasizes helping clients meet their goals over any particular philosophy or strategy.

• Have you worked with people like me?

All of us are unique individuals. Yet, you do share certain characteristics with others — age, income, family situation, and so on. You might feel comfortable knowing that a financial advisor has worked with people like you and can readily understand and appreciate your needs and specific goals: college for your children, a certain type of retirement lifestyle, the kind of legacy you’d like to leave, and others. The more information you can provide about yourself upfront, the better your chances of finding a good match.

a Financial Advisor?

• How will you communicate with me?

Open and frequent communication are key to a successful relationship with a financial advisor. So, you’ll want to know what you can expect. Will you have annual or semi-annual reviews of your accounts? In between these reviews, can you contact your advisor at any time with questions you may have? How will an advisor notify you to recommend investment moves? Is the financial advisor the individual you’ll communicate with, or are other people involved?

• How do you define success for your clients?

Some investors track their portfolios’ performance against that of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500. But these types of benchmarks can be misleading. For one thing, investors should strive for a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, and other investments, whereas the S&P 500 only tracks the largest U.S. stocks. So, when you talk to potential financial advisors about how they define success for their clients, you may want to look for responses that go beyond numbers and encompass statements such as these: “I’m successful if my clients trust me to do the right things for them. And, most importantly, I’m successful when I know I’ve helped my clients reach all their goals.”

• How are you compensated?

Financial advisors are compensated in different ways — some work on commissions, some charge fees, and some combine fees and commissions. There isn’t necessarily any best method from a client’s point of view, but you should clearly understand how a potential advisor is compensated before you begin a professional relationship. These aren’t the only questions you might ask a potential financial advisor, but they should give you a good start. When you’re trusting someone to help you with your important financial goals, you want to be completely comfortable with that individual — so ask whatever is on your mind.

Scott Aurich

(619) 987-9797

(619) 437-1614

ScottAurich.com

Scott@ScottAurich.com

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Shelly Klessinger (619) 519-3925

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Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

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(619) 852-3898

francescarrigan2@gmail.com

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Jan@JanClements.com

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Chris Clements (619) 203-8538

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ClementsGroupRE.com

Compass Real Estate

(619) 823-2142

cahern@bhhscal.com

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Charles Ahern Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Christine Baker

(858) 449-3200

chris@bakersellssandiego.com

BakerSellsSanDiego.com

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Willis Allen Real Estate

Jaime Bea

(619) 357-5581

Jaime.ccr@gmail.com

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Stacy Bell Begin

(619) 200-9184

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Felicia Bell

(619) 920-9184

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FeliciaFBell@gmail.com

www.Shorelifeluxury.com

Coronado Shores Company

Jeff Brummitt

619-208-1342

JB@JeffBrummitt.com

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Islander Realty

Phyl Sarber (619) 933-1276

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Charlotte Rudowicz (619) 865-0794

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eXp Realty

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(619) 997-3112

Sales & Rentals

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Hablo Español

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Sales & Rentals

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Sales & Rentals

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Hablamos Español

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Raquel Fernandez (619) 453-4513

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CoronadoShoresCo.com

Coronado Shores Company

Adrienne Dente

(619) 850-2880

adriennedd@aol.com

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Georgia Ellis

(619) 988-2455

georgia@bhhscal.com

DRE#01012774

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Ruth Ann Fisher (619) 733-4100

rfisher@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#01909797 Broker

Stephanie Basden 619-708-6768

stephanie@delcoronadorealty.com

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Broker Associate

Cassandra Goldberg 619-820-8477

cassandra@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#02100680 Realtor

Nellie Harris-Ritter 619-540-0111

nellie@delcoronadorealty.com

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Realtor

Tina Twite-Chin (619) 488-0285

tina@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#01427355

Broker Associate

delcoronadorealty.com

Del Coronado Realty

Ara Koubeserian Ryan Koubeserian

(619) 339-2383

arakoubeserian yahoo.com

DRE#0045410

Olga Lavalle

(619) 995-6259

(619) 339-9736

ryankoubeserian@yahoo.com

DRE#01738738

Coronado Shores Company

Maria Garate (619) 991-5073

Olga.Lavalle@elliman.com

DRE#01724705

Maria.Garate@elliman.com

DRE#02090976

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

(619) 573-8350

jelassaad@cbwhomes.com

DRE#01937427

Julia M. Elassaad Coldwell Banker West

Paulette Fennello (619) 318-5707

ownyourdreams123@aol.com

DRE#: 01124030

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ca Properties

Monique Fuzet (619) 994-4453

fuzetpmonique@gmail.com

DRE#00949513

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Carrie O’Brien

(619) 847-3524

DRE#01144127

Beth Delano

(619) 514-7740

DRE#0126197

Serena Bleam

480-235-5600

Cal DRE #2137496

Flagship.net

Flagship Properties, Inc.

Apua Garbutt

(619) 372-2777

apuareagent@gmail.com

DRE#01859903

eXp Realty

Tina Gavzie

(619) 778-0955

tinagav@aol.com

MovetoCoronado.com

DRE#01205962

Compass Real Estate

Katie Herrick

(619) 865-2085

kate@katieherrickgroup.com

www.ktherrick.com

DRE#01800357

Compass Real Estate

Francine Howard

(619) 302-0234

Francine@sd-realtor.com

DRE#01802654

RE/MAX Hometown Realtors

Karen Hust

(619) 838-7021

karen@themorabitogroup.com

DRE#01708516

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates

Vicki Inghram

(619) 204-3400

BestofCoronado.com

DRE#01293521

Compass Real Estate

Richard Inghram

(619) 301-7766

ringhram@gmail.com

DRE#01377744

Compass Real Estate

The Koop Group (619) 435-8722

Kathy Koop (619) 985-8722

DRE#00460840

Karrie Koop Gilby (619) 857-7665

DRE#01465419

Allison Koop Rice (619)490-9049

DRE#01818903

www.KathyKoop.com

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Kari Lyons

(619) 884-4193

karisellscoastal.com

kari@karisellscoastal.com

DRE#01475331

Park Life | Compass

Neva Kaye

Ken May

(619) 435-5200

chaines@bhhscal.com

www.sellcoronadorealestate.com

DRE# 00953131

Caroline Haines Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Kathleen K. Hanlon

(619) 339-6536 Mobile

kathleen.hanlon@yahoo.com

DRE#01386879

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Shannon Herlihy

(619) 855-8655

shannon@kenpecus.com

DRE #01863573

eXp Realty

(619) 865-2019

neva.kaye@sothebysrealty.com

nevakayegroup.com

DRE#01925476

Pacific Sotheby’s Realty

Molly Korson

(619) 808-6610

mollykorson1@aol.com

DRE#01379254

Korson Properties

Karen Lee (619) 861-4133

karenlee.realtor@gmail.com

DRE# 00962910

Willis Allen Real Estate

(619) 254-7497

SocalKenm@gmail.com

FindCoronadoRealEstate.com

DRE#01260645

Compass Real Estate

Maryellen McMahon

(619) 252-4778

maryellen.mcmahon@elliman.com

maryellenmcmahon.elliman.com

DRE#01992431

Douglas Elliman

Meridith Metzger

(619) 850-8285

meridithmetzger@gmail.com

DRE#01435132

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Molly Haines McKay

(619) 985-2726

MollyHainesMcKay@gmail.com

DRE#01876062

Carrie Mickel

(619) 630-3570

carriemickel@bhhscal.com

DRE#01999494

Lindsey Lyons

619.405.9208

lindseyblyons@gmail.com

DRE# 01993229

Renee Wilson Scott Grimes

(619) 518-7501

Renee@parklifeproperties.com

DRE #01192858

(619) 847-4282

Scott@parklifeproperties.com

DRE #01391946

www.parklifeproperties.com

Parklife | Compass

Nancy Parrett (619) 368-1898

Nancyparrett@sd-realtor.com

DRE#01256239

At Home Realty

Ken Pecus

(619) 977-8419

ken@kenpecus.com

DRE#: 01056969

eXp Realty

David Udell Tom Murray

(619) 435-0988

David@justlistedhomes.com

DRE#01184568

(619) 435-0988

Tom@justlistedhomes.com

DRE#02201853

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates

Gina Schnell

(619) 865-0650

Realtor® | Broker Associate gina.schnell@compass.com

DRE# 01945038

Compass Real Estate

Olga Stevens

(619) 778-8011

Olgaminvielle1@gmail.com

OlgaCoronado.com

DRE#01105050

Willis Allen Real Estate

Cheryl Morabito Dino Morabito

DRE#01183389 DRE#01415017

(619) 987-3066

Dino@TheMorabitoGroup.com www.TheMorabitoGroup.com

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates

Taylor Smith

(619) 762-8815

TaylorSmithRealEstate.com

Taylor@willisallen.com

DRE# 02076557

Willis Allen Real Estate

Kathy Pounds (619) 997-3171

kathypoundsteam@gmail.com

www.KathyPoundsTeam.com

DRE#01044960

Zack Thornton (619) 209-0169

zacharyj.thornton@outlook.com

DRE#01911180

Mary H. Bowlby (727) 692-6516

mary.bowlby@compass.com

DRE#01994278

Steve Clinton (619) 279-1818

sclinton95@gmail.com

DRE#01006292

Diego Ocampo (858) 200-5780

diego.ocampo@compass.com

DRE#02015515

Victoria Wise (619) 519-0352

wiserealestateinfo@gmail.com

DRE#01464951

THE KATHY POUNDS TEAM Compass Real Estate

Shirley Smith

Carol Stanford

(619) 252-1232

enoonan12@aol.com

CoronadoCays LuxuryHomes.com

DRE#00993300

Ed Noonan Noonan Properties

(619)559-6548

shirley@shirleysmith.com www.shirleysmith.com

DRE #02046865

Coldwell Banker West

(619) 987-8766

carol@carolstanford.com

BuyCoronado.com

DRE#01390529

eXp Realty

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Edith Salas (619) 905-5780

edith@salasproperties.com

DRE#01966248

Evan Piritz (619) 600-7817

evan@salasproperties.com

DRE#02022374

Josh Barbera (619) 957-5357

josh@salasproperties.com

DRE#02053563

Heather Vidal (619) 571-1700

heather@salasproperties.com

DRE#02150791

Stephanie Baker (619) 306-6317

stephanie@salasproperties.com

DRE#01986654

Greg Roberts (858) 731-6101

greg@salasproperties.com

DRE#02191947

Ken Nagel (619) 952-4486

ken@salasproperties.com

DRE#01946378

Anne Trombley (619) 318-6259 anne@salasproperties.com

DRE#02168533

Roberto Cornejo (619) 548-6306 roberto@salasproperties.com

DRE#01204327

Stacie Bales (619) 370-2467 stacie@salasproperties.com

DRE#02060775

Yvonne Fulp (626) 390-4953 yvonne@salasproperties.com

DRE#01821777

Romina Nassif Baloyan (619) 882-4100 romina@salasproperties.com

DRE#02190405

Sergio Munoz (619) 751-3415 sergio@salasproperties.com

DRE#02211855

Minerva Alvarez (619) 653-0288 minerva@salasproperties.com

DRE#02195687

www.salasproperties.com

Salas Properties

Tom Tilford (619) 300-2218

tom@tomtilfordre.com

DRE#01897051

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates

Emily Wendell (619) 348-9212

emilywendell@bhhscal.com

DRE#02032915

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Kate Danilova (619) 865-3402

Chris Toogood (619) 865-3334

DRE#01997872 DRE#01882388

TooGoodRealty.com chris@christoogood.com

Toogood Realty

Suzanne Fahy (619) 841-5870

seashorepropertiescoronado@gmail.com

DRE#01454055

Tara Brown

(619) 869-1547 tara92118@gmail.com

DRE#01452962

Lisa Davenport

(619) 261-5963 lindadavenport007@gmail.com

DRE#01422713

Jill Lehr

(619) 981-2750 lehrpad@yahoo.com

DRE#02035838

Hope Baker

(480) 221-0516 hopebake4@aol.com

Seashorepropertiescoronado.com

Seashore Properties

Bay Books Book Club Corner

What books people are reading…

Red Rising

By Pierce Brown

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the colorcoded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he toils willingly, trusting that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow— and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity’s overlords struggle for power.  He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society’s ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

A Gentleman in Moscow

By Amor Towles

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery.

One True Loves

By Taylor Jenkins Reid

In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure.

On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever. Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness. That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves.

The Last Thing He Told Me

By Laura Dave

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother. As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.