CORONADO Magazine - August 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 .

It’s hard to believe summer in Coronado is coming to an end (didn’t it just start?), and soon the kids will be heading back to school. Summers come and go quickly, with so many fun filled activities, like Concerts in the Park, 4th of July celebrations, lemonade stands, and lazy days at the beach. So much to do and so little time.

With Coronado being a tourist destination, vacations of far off destinations are often in the minds of residents. Many families will be planning trips at the end of summer. Whether traveling far away or just up the coast to Oceanside, make sure to stop by the Friends of the Library for a book or two to bring with you on your travels.

As we head into fall, and cooler weather ahead, Hattie reminds us its always a good time to be reminded (and prepared) for fire safety plans in your home.

As August gets sipped away like a bottle of gin, remember to make tons of memories and have lots of laughter. I hope this issue keeps you smiling and reminds you, it’s the little things that matter. Never forget to keep dancing Coronado.

Renee Schoen

Cover photo by Susie Clifford, above photo by Lauren Curtis

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

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Enjoy Life Without Hip and Knee Pain Sharp Coronado

Hospital

Are you ready to get back to an active life, but hip or knee pain is slowing you down? If medication and other treatments haven’t worked, register now for a free webinar presented by Sharp Coronado Hospital to learn about the latest surgical options, including Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery. Visit sharp.com/mako or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277) to learn more and register.

Advanced Treatments for Hip and Knee Pain Webinar

Presented by Sharp Coronado Hospital

Tuesday, September 19, 6 to 7:30 p.m. • Link provided upon registration

Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire

By Hattie Foote

When I was six years old our house caught on fire, and you would think it would have been a very traumatizing experience for me. Instead, I was thrilled that we got to move into a hotel for a week, truly what dreams are made of for a child. I was like Eloise, except it was the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque instead of the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Adventures ensued, I was a regular at the nightly managers reception, I met the thrash metal band Anthrax, and I learned about the birds and the bees when I witnessed a couple enjoying the hotel pool a little too much. Life was good, and we were extremely lucky as the damage was contained to just our living room. Coincidently my husband Chris’s house also caught on fire when he was a kid and they lost almost everything. He does not have as fond of memories as I do, rightfully so. I have a lot of irrational fears, so its interesting to me that a fire which is an actual legitimate fear wasn’t high on my list after both of our experiences.

A few months ago, a girlfriend of mine experienced a fire at her home and told me to learn from her incident and make a plan for my young family. I agreed and put it on my to do list, which of course never got done. And that was the first thing I thought of when we found ourselves in a scary situation recently. It was starting to warm up outside, so I left my daughters window open as she went to sleep. I climbed into bed to drink my tea and read my book, cozy cozy. As I was falling asleep, I heard my daughter coughing in her room, so I grabbed her a glass of water and tip toed into her room to leave it on her nightstand. I smelled a faint burning smell, so I shut her window and went back bed. That’s when a faint beeping started, a car alarm I thought. I got back up and went into our backyard, the burning smell much more intense now. I climbed up onto a table in the back to peep around, and I saw smoke pouring out of our neighbor’s roof. I started yelling not so eloquently to Chris who was fast asleep to call 911. Meanwhile I went to the front and ran into our other neighbor who was also calling 911. I had thrown a sweatshirt on over my oversize t-shirt I was sleeping in and kept thinking this is why they say don’t sleep naked in case of emergencies! Chris came flying out and the police showed up I swear in under a minute. You know how close homes here are, so they had us and the home on the other side of

our neighbor evacuate immediately. I was shaking as I ran to the kids’ room and woke them up, it was surreal. My poor daughter was terrified, while my son lazily put on his velour robe and asked when he could go back to sleep. I went into my room and shoved jewelry, passports, and my cameras into a bag, like I was packing for luxury tropical vacation. My daughter stuffed her backpack with her Taylor Swift merch, and my husband chose one single phone charger to save. We are clearly not people you would want with you during an emergency. The Coronado Fire Department was already outside getting to work when we came back out, as scary as it was, we were all in awe of the heroics in action. My mom came and grabbed the kids to sleep at her house while we stayed behind to deal with whatever we had to.

The fire was put out quickly, but unfortunately the house had extensive damage. We were so devastated for our neighbors, and once again reminded how precious life is and what truly matters. Anything can be rebuilt and replaced, none of the stuff really matters. This was a wakeup call for me to be more organized and prepared. Our darling neighbors gave the kids gift certificates to their favorite places, Saiko Sushi and MooTime, which is so unnecessary and so sweet, and it is just another reminder of how special our community is. Please take care of each other. And one last huge thank you to CFD and CPD, heroes.

Coronado: A Reader's Paradise

Coronado is a paradise of wide sandy beaches, charming neighborhoods, and cultural richness. Beyond its picture-perfect scenery, this idyllic island city offers a treasure trove of literary delights for book enthusiasts –it truly is a "Reader’s Paradise."

For example in 2023 the Coronado Public Library has sponsored several high-profile author events One of the highlights of Coronado's author events is the format including intimate readings and Q&A sessions with a moderator. Whether it's a debut novelist or a seasoned wordsmith, these gatherings allow avid readers to connect with their favorite authors on a personal level. The discussions often revolve around the writing process, inspirations, and the stories behind the stories, offering valuable insights into the literary world and the writing process.

Just this year Coronado has been the host to multiple New York Times bestselling authors including Bonnie Garmus - “Lessons in Chemistry,”

Lisa See - “Lady Tan's Circle of Women,” and Kristen Hannah - “The Four Winds.” On Thursday evening, August 3, Admiral William H. McRaven (U.S. Navy Ret.) will speak at the Coronado Performing Arts Center about his new book, “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog – Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy).”

McRaven is perhaps best known for his University of Texas graduation speech that inspired his book “Make your Bed – Little Things That Can Change Your Life and Maybe the World.” McRaven will sign books prior to the event and Coronado Bay Books has stocked up on all McRaven’s books including one for kids “Make Your Bed with Skipper the Seal “ This event is free and open to the public.

Mark your calendar and buy a ticket for a special event on August 18 at noon, with author Alice Hoffman. She will appear at a luncheon benefiting the Coronado Friends of the Library. This event is in partnership with Warwick’s Bookstore. Hoffmann will discuss and sign her new book, “The Invisible Hour” at the Nautilus Room, in the Coronado Community Center, located at 1845 Strand Way, Coronado, CA 92118. The $50 ticket price includes lunch and a signed copy of “The Invisible Hour ” Don’t delay as this event is limited to 250 people and there won’t be a waitlist. You may sign up on the Coronado Public Library website.

These regularly scheduled author events showcase an array of literary talents, providing residents and visitors alike with unique opportunities to engage with their favorite writers and discover new voices

Coronado boasts a rich literary legacy that has been nurtured over the years. From hosting writers' retreats to inspiring renowned authors, the island's ambiance has proven conducive to creativity and storytelling. The influence of Coronado's charm is evident in the works of several authors who have resided or spent time on the island, including some of the great American writers Of note, Wizard of Oz author L Frank Baum traveled to Coronado Island a number of times between 1904 and 1910, where he often resided at the Hotel del Coronado for months at a time. He wrote at least three books in his Oz series during that period (“Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz” 1908, “The Road to Oz” 1909, and “The Emerald City” 1910), and purportedly found time to design the crown chandeliers in the famous Crown Room Baum surely was inspired by Coronado when he penned the words “There’s no place like home!”

Author Alice Hoffman

L. Frank Baum's books written in Coronado

The heart of any literary community lies in its independent bookstores, and Coronado is home to a gem on Orange Avenue. Coronado Bay Books is an independently owned bookstore serving Coronado for over 20 years. Recently opening at a new locations at 1007 Orange Avenue they specialize in new titles, indie favorites, military history, young adult, and children's books In addition to books, they also offer a wonderful assortment of greeting cards, stationary, journals, and specialty gifts. Bay Books not only stocks an impressive selection of books and gifts but also hosts author events and they serve an excellent cup of coffee. And a bonus is the recently installed Sprinkles Cupcake vending machine.

In addition to Bay Books the Library is the home to “Second Hand Prose ” This quaint space behind the Coronado Library on D Street between 6th and 7th Avenue offers gently used, good quality fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books at affordable prices. New titles are added daily All proceeds from the sale of these books, donated by Coronado residents, go to the programs funded by the Friends of the Coronado Public Library.

Speaking of The Friends of the Coronado Public Library (FOL), this vital organization was founded in 1970, and is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is to support the Coronado Public Library. The library has two sources of funds to maintain this fabulous community resource Tax dollars, through the City of Coronado yearly budget, pay for all essential services needed to run the library, such as salaries, the building and grounds upkeep and maintaining its collection of books, DVDs, and other printed materials. But just as important to

Bay Books - 1007 Orange Avenue

any library are its programs for its children, teens, and adults. And that is where the Friends of the Coronado Public Library come in. FOL provides a significant portion of the economic resources for what the city would consider “non-essential” resources, i.e. the programs and the extra items (art exhibits, etc.) which make the Coronado Library so special.

Over the years Coronado has encouraged aspiring writers to hone their craft through a series of writing workshops and creative writing classes and groups. Often led by experienced authors, these workshops provide a nurturing environment for budding talents to learn, grow, and gain invaluable feedback. Whether you're an amateur poet or aspiring novelist, these events foster creativity and camaraderie among fellow writers Of note is the San Diego Writer's Festival who partners with the Coronado Public Library. The festival is slated to return in April 2024.

Coronado's enthusiasm for literature is evident in the numerous book festivals and community events that celebrate the written word. These vibrant gatherings attract authors from various genres, making them a haven for bibliophiles. From book signings to interactive discussions, these events infuse the island with literary fervor.

Coronado Public Library hosts three monthly book clubs. The Spoilers Book Club meets on the fourth Saturday of every month from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. and participants are encouraged but not required to read the book before the meeting. Spoilers Book Club members discuss a book, then watch the movie The Mystery Book Club meets every third Monday of the month at 2 p.m. and the Library’s newest book club, the Best of the Best Book Club meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to noon in the Library’s Winn Room to discuss books that have won major awards.

Coronado, California, is more than just a picturesque destination; it is a haven for literary enthusiasts and aspiring writers alike. The island's deep-rooted passion for the written word is evident in its diverse range of author events, book clubs, and workshops. Whether you're strolling along the beach or perusing the shelves of the town's quaint bookstore, the magic of Coronado's literary world is never far away

So, if you find yourself wandering along the sunlit shores of Coronado, don't miss the chance to immerse yourself in the abundant offering of author events that this captivating island has to offer. Whether you're a lifelong book lover or a curious reader eager to discover new voices, Coronado's literary community is sure to leave you spellbound.

Sandra E. Bonura

Leslie Hubbard Crawford

Jennifer M. Franks

Sidney Bailey Stockdale

SOLD Today’s Housing Inventor y Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

One of the biggest challenges in the housing market right now is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy them. To help emphasize just how limited housing inventor y still is, let ’s take a look at the latest information on active listings, or homes for sale in a given month, as it compares to more normal levels

According to a recent repor t from Realtor.com:

“On average, active inventor y in June was 50.6% below pre-pandemic 2017–2019 levels.”

The graph below helps illustrate this point. It uses historical data to provide a more concrete look at how much the numbers are still lagging behind the level of inventor y typical of a more normal market (see graph):

Bottom

When supply is so low, your house is going to be in the spotlight. That ’s why sellers are seeing their homes sell a little faster and get more o ers right now. If you’ve thought about selling, now’s the time to make a move. Let’s connec t to get the process started.

August Sipped Away Like a Bottle of Gin

By Christine Johnson

The month of August is finally here and thus marks the end of summer in the northern hemisphere. In Coronado, it begins the end of our busy tourist season where the island starts to become a little quieter. August is a time to sit back and celebrate the days we shared with family and friends, vacations, summer romances, and time away from work and school. August is also known as the harvest month – time to plant all you hope to grow and eat as fall approaches.

When I think about summertime growing up, I remember the vacations we took, people we met and exploring new places. We always had so much fun eating ice cream before dinner, swimming in a pool until sunset, going to concerts, and maybe even a summer romance like Danny and Sandy. We would head back to school after Labor Day (the way it should be) and share our adventures. I know I’m not the only person who reflects on the joys of being a kid without a care in the world. For all you “Swifties” out there, you know what I’m talking about. Even Taylor, who seems to have taken over summer 2023, has a song about August!

So, as we end the summer and prepare to move on to fall, it’s time to celebrate putting backpacks on your children and sending them on to the next grade level. Sorry kids –parents need to have a few things to look forward to – we still love you!

Here’s a little something pretty to take to the front porch and drink as the sun goes down. Let us all raise a glass to summer, our Fourth of July parade, Concerts in the Park, and the people who visit our island to make for a perfect vacation. Because, as Taylor Swift famously said, “August sipped away like a bottle of wine.” (Or in this case, gin!)

On a personal note: To my daughter who turns 21 this month and legally will be able to enjoy these drinks I call home (and buy me wine at Vons)…You make me proud to be your mama every day and I love you more than you will ever know. Please drink responsibly or not at all! Happy Birthday Sammy!

Mixology:

Fill a shaker with ice. Add the gin, cordials, pineapple and lime juice. Shake well till very cold. Pour strained cocktail into a stemmed cocktail or martini glass that has been chilled. Top with a dash of Prosecco and garnish with edible flowers.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce Gin

• 1 ounce pear and elderflower cordial

• 1.5 ounces pineapple juice

• 1/2 ounce lime juice

• Prosecco

Photo by Hattie Foote

Keep Dancing, Coronado

The summer months, as usual, seem to be flying by. Soon we will begin to send our kids back to school, and say goodbye to many of the beloved summer traditions that make Coronado the home we know and love. Though the weather will begin to change, let us hold onto the spark that ignites our community each and every summer. And let us never forget to keep dancing, Coronado.

Photos by Kel Casey

Island Icon:

Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot

By Jasmine Lo, Coronado Historical Association Intern

“The spirit hasn’t changed a bit. People are still friendly. People want to be involved. They’re very giving and very loving,” voiced longtime Coronado resident Dixie Beth Stern-Talbot. When Mrs. Stern-Talbot moved to Coronado, she recounted how the bridge was newly built and the Cays was known as the “pig farm.” From the establishment of the Coronado Historical Association to the addition of the Winn Room at the Coronado Public Library, so much has changed. Mrs. SternTalbot reminds us that “growth is good,” even though she still misses the Coronado Department Store.

Growth is what allows Mrs. SternTalbot to follow her passion for music. She lived through times of major musical eras, crafting her unique perspective. Her favorite aria is “Un bel dì, vedremo” (“One fine day we’ll see”) from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Her favorite singer is Tony Bennett, who she was able to work with while singing at the Chicago Music Theatre. Throughout high school in Springfield, Missouri, she was heavily involved in the drama department, choir, and drum core, graduating in 1949; they called themselves the “49-ers.” She matriculated at Southwest Missouri State, where she majored in music while also studying a combination of drama, English, and education, which would later allow her to become a teacher. She has sung professionally in musicals, appeared in T.V. commercials, and was the presenter of two series

for P.B.S. On September 26, 2000, she released her folk-music CD A Look At Life and Love, including her songs “Look At Life,” “Down Home,” “Faded Photo,” and more. She shared, “The songs were all about people I knew, and I tried to tell their story in the song.”

Combining her love for music and the community, she frequently volunteers in

ways that involve singing. As a member of the Coronado Opera Guild, she sang at their spring meeting in May 1975. Mrs. Stern-Talbot recalled a memory from one of their spaghetti dinner fundraisers; the husband of a member of the opera guild served too-large portions of their homemade spaghetti, causing them to run out, so someone ran over to Marco’s to get more.

All photos courtesy of Mrs. Stern-Talbot.

Buying that spaghetti ate up their profits that night. Despite this seemingly failed event, the Coronado Opera Guild was an opportunity to bring people together to advocate for the opera. She was also able to introduce many young people to music by volunteering as a vocal coach for musicals at Coronado High School, as music director at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, and also director of St. Paul’s Methodist Church Choir. She loves bumping into the students she taught who are all grown up and still pursuing music. Her love for kids and education led her to help coordinate the first CSF Telethon in 1983, where they auctioned off a haircut, a manicure, a weekend at the BayView hotel, and a $42-value dental exam, x-ray, and cleaning. They were able to fundraise approximately $2,000 for Coronado Schools. The largest sum donated was a gift certificate from a local dentist for $42.00. This included an examination, e-rays, and cleaning. Mrs. Stern-Talbot also spearheaded two television programs. One of her television programs focused on children’s literature where she read books in costume and wrote the corresponding teacher’s guide. Her second program centered around organic gardening.

Mrs. Stern-Talbot emphasized, “Opportunities come and slip by.” Besides teaching and singing, she was also a flight attendant with American Airlines based in Chicago. From this career, she met her first husband, Captain Stern, who flew with American airlines for 34 years. Following their marriage, she had to resign, as her contract stated that flight attendants needed to resign when married or by age 32.

Nowadays, you can find Mrs. Stern-Talbot buzzing around town in her chartreuse golf cart or volunteering at the Coronado Public Library’s Second Hand Prose Shop. She is also singing in the newly formed Coronado Chorale and enjoying many activities at the Spreckels Center. Mrs. SternTalbot is a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren, Harrison, Sam, and Kate, and mother to her daughter, Sally, who is married to Jamie Perley. After the passing of Captain Stern, she married Mr. C. H. Talbot. Mrs. Stern-Talbot remarks, “I feel my greatest achievement has been sharing music and being involved in activities that better our community. I’ve been so blessed with wonderful opportunities and so many loving, caring, giving friends.”

A Coronadans Guide To France

By: Linda L. Austin

The world is returning to normal; just look at the packed airlines and filled reservation lists for attractions. If you want your trip to include all your desired attractions, planning ahead is a must. We recently returned from our eighth trip with grandchildren. COVID’s three years’ sequestration got us behind, so we doubled up with two sisters, both of whom wanted to visit France.

Our two weeks were packed since I am a planner and like to fill each minute of the day. We landed, arrived at our house swap on the outskirts of Paris, dropped luggage, and headed for Versailles which was only 30 minutes away. Not wanting to waste one day, we counted on our plane rest to be sufficient to keep us going for a few hours. Versailles opulence lived up to the girls’ expectations. They remembered pictures of

the Room of Mirrors.

Art major Ainsley became our tour guide throughout the numerous museums, giving us extra information on famous paintings and statues. Sadie, who had spent one semester studying in London, was the designated navigator both in the car and on the Metro. I was the planner with my lesson plan for each day, and Paul was the chauffeur to and from the Metro.

The Eiffel Tower is visible throughout Paris from any high spot. We were on the top of the Arc de Triomphe.

I scheduled too much, but with the Museum Pass it was too tempting to include every “free” museum. We had four attractions grouped somewhat together on the map each day. The Metro was useful; however, we walked a lot, one day seven miles. On the Eiffel Tower day we included the Sewer Tour, Boat Cruise, and the Orangerie Museum. According to Sadie’s app, we climbed the equivalent of 55 floors, and I believe it!

Our reservations were for the Eiffel stairs since the elevator was unavailable. Both girls hesitated as they shared their fear of heights. I assured them the choice of climbing to the second level was theirs. I, also, encouraged them to step outside their comfort zone since they could not fall off. I mentioned that 10 years from now, they would regret they had not done it. They headed up.

Reaching the first level was a struggle for me with frequent stops to let others pass. I was not the only one periodically resting, but I may have been the oldest! We continued and made it as far as we were allowed. The top floor is a posh restaurant reserved years in advance. The view was spectacular and worth the huffing and puffing.

A few days later when I asked what the best thing had been so far, they looked at each other, laughed, and said the Eiffel Tower. That stayed the favorite despite the phenomenal things we saw: Louver, Napoleon’s Tomb, Arc de Triomphe, Pantheon, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, to name a few. We used the Museum Pass 11 times, adding art museums that were near, like Picasso and Rodin.

Photo by Filip Andrejevic

The Secrets Gourmands De Noemie cooking school, where we made macaroons with five others, was fun and packed with laughter and useful information. We each left the class with 12 delicious macaroons. Montmartre was the destination for souvenir portraits, and Sacre-Coeur Basilica was too close to miss.

The Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum ended the day.

We began early each day because Rick Steves had advised arriving 30 minutes before the attraction opened to avoid the crowds. It worked for us, even though some lines were already long. By the time we returned each day, I was bone weary and ready for an early dinner and bed. That didn’t happen since the French eat late and restaurants opened at 7 p.m. Our house was very convenient but with limited restaurants nearby.

After a week, we left for a road trip with Rouen as our destination. Our loop included a stop in Chartre to tour the cathedral and see Mary’s birthing gown, supposedly worn by Mary at the birth of Jesus. The cathedral has been described as a picture book of the entire Bible through its statues, stain glass windows, and architecture. The headphones provided detailed information to verify that.

After a night in a B and B, we climbed the stony stairs of Mont Saint Michele to revel in its 1,200 year history. Among the top four pilgrimage sights, it sits in isolation surrounded by water and mud flats. We happened to arrive as a free tour in English began, which was an unexpected bonus.

Sacre Coeur Basilica is perched on the hill with Montmartre.

Sainte-Chappelle, a “church of lights,” has walls of stained-glass depicting scenes from the Old Testament.

Mont St. Michele is among the top four pilgrimage sites.

Back in the car, we headed for Normandy and the D-Day Beaches. With D-Day approaching, festivities were already beginning. We were present for a laying of a wreath at the Liberty Statue by a college choir from Illinois as well as their short concert. We reverently walked among the white crosses until time to gather for a presentation about the cemetery. The guide highlighted two people buried there, a young reluctant soldier who became a hero and a Donut Dolly female who brightened a few moments for the soldiers. Only four women are interred there, she and three African American women who volunteered and sorted two-year-old mail to send to families.

Seeing the steep cliffs where the U.S. Army Rangers climbed to disable the gun battery at Pointe du Hoc was a must on my list. A short film summarized the ac-

tion through the eyes of a few remaining veterans. Brave men completed a nearly impossible feat scaling the steep white cliffs. The scattered craters on the battlefield were added examples of the dangers.

Another B and B night was in a 200-yearold home that had been renovated somewhat. While the kitchen and baths were modern, the bedroom doors were not. When inside the room, a metal latch prevented entry, but the room was not secure upon leaving, no lock and key. The host was delightful and assured us that she had never had an issue with security.

In the morning we backtracked to visit the largest of six German cemeteries in Normandy where 21,200 German soldiers are buried. A somber mood pervades as you walk along the paths with its black crosses flanking each side. In the center are two black statues and a large black cross atop a

mound designating a mass grave of mostly unknown soldiers. The cemetery is in stark contrast to the light, peaceful American cemetery. Volunteers maintain the memorial, but no one was on duty.

The D-Day beaches are a testament to the bravery of our soldiers who scaled the shear cliffs to attack the enemy in WW II.

The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves at the Normandy D-Day cemetery watches over the 6,000 American souls buried there.

On to Bayeux for the ancient tapestry of the Battle of Hastings commissioned in the eleventh century. Called a tapestry, it is actually a 70-yard-long embroidered linen cloth of 59 panels. With headphones which explained each of the panels, we proceeded in the line systematically for 25 minutes. Ainsley was surprised that she had studied it in one of her classes.

Our next stop was beautiful Rouen where we stayed with a French family we met 13 years ago during a house swap. Fabrice and Isabel’s daughter Chloe is Sadie’s age and has spent months with our family over the years, even attending three months of high school at Liberty Charter School in La Mesa with the girls. She has been added to our list of grandchildren, becoming #13. The Carpentiers are extraordinary cooks, and we always have the best French food at their home.

Monet’s beautiful gardens in Giverny provide the subjects for many of his paintings.

Etretat, near Rouen, is the subject of some of Monet’s paintings.

Chloe was our guide for two days, taking us to the seaside resort of Etretat, a popular site in Impressionist paintings. I have climbed the cliff, but that day we had a leisurely lunch appreciating the view and catching up on our lives. Our second day was a tour of Rouen with a climb in the Great Clock, an explanation of the Palace of Justice, a tour of Rouen’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Plague Cemetery where the bodies of two-thirds of the people in the parish died and were interned in a mass grave in the half-timbered courtyard during the Middle Ages.

Rouen honors Joan of Arc who was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. The Church of St. Joan of Arc, in the center of the ancient market square, was completed in 1979. The modern structure, with its sixteenth century stain glass windows, remains a controversial subject since it is in stark contrast to the old-world surroundings. Designating the site where she was burned is a tall cross near the entrance to the church.

Our last full day in France was spent in Giverny, enjoying Monet’s gardens and home. Having seen his massive water lily paintings in the Orangerie as well as other works in various museums, we expected the stunning beauty of the surroundings. Flowers were in full bloom and the famous green bridge looked pristine.

As we headed back to Paris to pack our souvenirs, I was satisfied that the trip had accomplished my goals for the granddaughters of experiencing the varied French culture, fulfilling their requests, and reconnecting with our friends. Since the second week was more relaxing, we had regained our stamina and were eager to return home to share our adventures.

Our house-swap abode on the outskirts of Paris was convenient to the Metro and near Versailles.

Apricots!

Did you know that apricots have been around for over 4,000 years? This sweetyet-tart fruit was originally domesticated in China and later introduced to Armenia and Europe. Today, they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Apricots were first introduced to the New World by Spanish missionaries in California, where about 95% of the apricots in the U.S. are still produced today. In fact, Patterson California is known as the “Apricot Capital of the World,” holding an annual Apricot Fiesta which includes countless apricot-themed beverages, food items, games and desserts.

Apricots are both a member of the rose family, and a relative of the peach. Many describe the flavor of apricot as a cross between a peach and a plum, with a very distinct taste and texture. This beautiful bright orange fruit grows on trees that can continue to produce the fruit for 20-25 years. One reason why California is the top producer of apricots in the U.S. is due to its climate. Apricot trees thrive in dry climates that offer plenty of sun during the day, and cool temperate nights.

Apricots are extremely versatile, with a unique flavor that allows for a large array of uses in the kitchen. They can be blended into juices, smoothies, or ice creams; made into delicious jellies or syrups; or diced into salsas or chutneys. While sweetness is often associated with the fruit, they can also be utilized in more savory dishes. Add some sliced apricot to your next charcuterie board for a beautiful pop of color, and a perfect pairing for your salted meats and cheeses.

Coastal Renaissance: Oceanside has evolved into a beach resort haven

Mission Pacific Hotel is sited at the epicenter of Oceanside’s redeveloped Downtown.

This isn’t the Oceanside I remember when I first drove down the coast some 50 years ago. Back then, truth be told, the city was kind of grungy, the type of place where I wouldn’t have wanted to do be on the streets after dark. And it certainly wasn’t hip. It was just a place to fill up the tank and hit the gas.

That’s all changed!

Today, Oceanside is definitely hip, it’s happening and there are some delicious reasons to make this city at the northern coastal tip of San Diego County a destination for a weekend get-away.

Surfing and skateboarding came of age in Oceanside, bringing along a number of homegrown businesses, like Brixton, that celebrate the city’s roots. Now all of SoCal is taking a second look at “O-Side,” as locals are calling it. And they’re liking what they see.

I made three trips to Oceanside this year, discovering new sights, and enjoying some exceptional tastes on each venture. There was a bliss-filled high tea with gal friends during Mardi Gras, and, a couple of months later, an overnight at the Mission Pacific Hotel, both in the heart of Oceanside’s nine-block redevelopment area.

My third visit was to dine at Valle, where I met Executive Chef Roberto Alcocer. He told me his aim in coming up to Oceanside from his restaurant in Mexico’s acclaimed wine growing region, Valle de Guadalupe, was to become a Michelin-starred chef. (Michelin doesn’t yet extend that coveted honor into Mexico.)

Just yesterday, two days before my deadline, Roberto achieved his dream when Valle became the first restaurant in Oceanside’s history to earn a Michelin star.

Yes, Oceanside is rising, and it’s not by accident. It was back in 2001 that the city created a master plan that encouraged “visitor-serving commercial activities” in nine beach-area blocks at the end of Mission Avenue.

Let me show you how it’s all coming to fruition, with a renaissance that’s spreading throughout the entire city.

Story and photographs by Kris Grant

At the center of Oceanside’s redevelopment, you’ll find the Mission Pacific Hotel, where I stayed with my friend Linda Milks, a fellow travel writer.

Mission Pacific Hotel, a Hyatt Hotel property, is situated on the most primo property in all of Oceanside, just across the highway from the Pacific Ocean and Oceanside’s historic wooden fishing pier. The hotel opened just two years ago, with SJ Malkin Properties awarded the contract to build the hotel after a long and contentious fight with the previous developer: Doug Manchester had proposed a much larger project – a 475-room, 12-story resort covering two city blocks.

That proposal, favored by the city council at the time, would have permanently closed a major street and taken control of the bluff-side property down to the beach amphitheatre. But a community activist or-

ganized a nonprofit, “Citizens for the Protection of Parks and Beaches” and led three busloads of locals to a California Coastal Commission hearing on the subject. The commission overturned the city’s plans. While setting the redevelopment plans back several years, the resulting project, the sister properties, Mission Pacific Hotel and Seabird Resort, are appealing and do not overwhelm the city skyline.

In fact, the 161-room Mission Pacific Hotel is marketed by Hyatt as a boutique beach hotel, and it does indeed have a boutique feel, with stylish interiors featuring original art and some very distinctive spaces.

Take the Rooftop Bar, for example, situated on the sixth floor. From the pool, you can gaze out past the giant palms (how did they ever get them up to this level?) and out over the Pacific. After sunset, it’s a 21+

venue, where you can enjoy cocktails, small bites and vibrant evenings with live DJs in the comfortable lounge seating area.

We enjoyed breakfast at the street-level High/Low restaurant, dining alfresco on the ocean view patio, where I ordered the Sourdough French toast with Carlsbad strawberries and rhubarb curd, and Linda ordered the Cardiff Crack hash, a blend of Seacoast Market’s famous black pepper tri-tip, with potatoes, caramelized onions, poached egg and chimichurri. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, plus sunset cocktails.

Mission Pacific also features a reconditioned 1887 Queen Anne cottage in its courtyard. It was long known as the Graves House, but you might recognize it as the house known for its role in the 1987 movie, Top Gun. (It’s where Tom Cruise put the moves on his flight teacher, Kelly McGillis.)

Mission Pacific Hotel

Mission Pacific’s rooftop pool, graced with giant palms, overlooks the ocean below.

The Top Gun House had originally been situated a few blocks south along the beach highway. After several years in storage, it was moved onto the property and restored. Inside, there are lots of photos from the movie, but the menu is confined to just one thing: a High Pie hand-pie filled with seasonal fruit. When Top Gun Maverick came out last summer, I’m told the lines stretched around the block, probably more for grabbing an interior selfie than one of the pies. Our double room was light and bright, with a splendid ocean view. Single rooms have upholstered window seats with pillows, providing an inviting way to laze away a couple of hours with a good book. The room design also incorporates a most innovative way of opening the bathroom suite into the main space: two doors retract into wall pockets, opening up the entire

space (the commode is tucked in the back behind a frosted door).

Just across the breezeway from our hotel, Seabird Resort is a bit more family-oriented. Seabird’s rooftop pool welcomes kids, and its “Little Seabirds” program features daily activities from scavenger hunts to art projects, plus a Kids’ Camp.

Artwork at both the Mission Pacific and Seabird Resort was entirely curated by the Oceanside Museum of Art, with a public art annex to the museum at the Seabird, yet another way the properties integrate with the community.

Linda and I took a quick tour by day of Valle, an elegant space both inside and out where, by night, celebrated chef Roberto Alcocer presents his take on modern Mexican cuisine. I knew I would soon return.

Mission Pacific’s Rooftop Bar is a popular venue for rest and relaxation, particularly after sundown when it’s strictly 21 and up.

The Top Gun House lives on; get your High Pies inside.

Guestrooms at Mission Pacific feature modern technology and an airy beachy vibe.

“Chorus,” a permanent installation by San Diego artist Michelle Montjoy, is one of 280 art pieces, permanent and temporary, on exhibit at The Seabird Resort and its sister property, Mission Pacific Hotel. All artworks were curated by the Oceanside Museum of Art.

Valle - Oceanside’s first Michelin-starred restaurant

For me, the highlight of any Oceanside visit has to be dinner at Valle. It’s located at street level and just across the highway from the Pacific Ocean. I went back solo to dine here, take it all in, and grab some time with Executive Chef Roberto Alcocer.

Here elevated Mexican cuisine is served exquisitely in a sophisticated yet comfortable setting with high-end influences from Roberto’s homeland.

Roberto grew up in Ensenada and nine years ago opened Malva Cocina de Roberto Alcocer in Valle de Guadalupe, about a 2½ - hour drive from Coronado. Malva is one of the most popular restaurants in that region, and now at Valle, Roberto melds recipes and flavors he developed there with new creations, utilizing the freshest and finest California ingredients.

One of the reasons Roberto chose to establish a restaurant in the United States (and thankfully it was in Oceanside) was so that he could compete for a Michelin star, as the stars aren’t yet awarded in Mexico. He says he’s very grateful to his family in supporting his dream; his wife and two children moved with him three

years ago, shortly after he was approached by Hyatt Corporation to build a restaurant at the Mission Pacific Hotel. Roberto also supervises the cuisine at the hotel’s Rooftop Bar.

Valle opened in October 2021 and was listed in the Michelin Guide in 2022. This July, Roberto achieved his dream when Valle earned its first star. Valle joins just four other Michelin-starred restaurants in San Diego County (Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, Soichi in University Heights and Sushi Tadokoro in Old Town, each with one star) and Addison in Del Mar, which this year moved up to three stars. Valle was one of just six new restaurants in the state to be added to the guide in 2023.

Valle features a prix-fixe four-course dinner, where diners can choose from two-to-five fresh, seasonal offerings for each course. Or they can opt for an eightcourse tasting menu paired with Valle’s wine selections, leaving the choices up to the chef. On Friday and Saturdays, a more intimate “Chef’s Table” is set up facing the chefs as they prepare dishes in the back of the house.

Sumptuous seating arrangements wrap around the restaurant with ocean views, but I chose the interior space, richly designed under Roberto’s exacting direction. He designed the entire restaurant – the light fixtures, hammered copper behind the bar, selection of artworks, even the richly textured napkins with influences from his homeland.

My four-course, wine-paired prix fixe menu featured beautiful food, prepared with delightfully fun and artistic touches, and was served by a friendly but not obtrusive staff. After dinner, I was invited to tour the back of the house, where chefs were quietly at work, and Roberto presented me with a final goodbye treat – a tiny ice cream cone filled with refreshing sorbet.

I never would have guessed that Roberto would trace his success as a chef to Rotary International, but he says the service organization was pivotal in launching his career. After graduating from high school in Ensenada, Roberto applied to be a Rotary Exchange student (Rotary allows graduating seniors to do an extra year of

Executive Chef Roberto Alcocer not only designed the Michelin-star menu at Valle, he oversaw every detail of the restaurant’s interior design.

high school in another country.)

“On your application, you could list three countries as your choices,” he told me while, at my invitation, he joined me at my table. “I listed France as number one, France as number two and France as my number three choice,” he said. Roberto knew what he wanted for a career – to be a chef of the highest order – and he rightly regarded France as the culinary center of the world.

To accompany his application he wrote an essay about his choice of destination and “it was from the bottom of my heart,” he said, recalling clearly the composition he wrote at age 17. Roberto had been interested in food beginning in elementary school, influenced strongly by his grandmother. He said from an early age he insisted on packing his own lunches and filling them with prosciutto, fine cheese and the freshest bread.

Roberto got his wish from Rotary International and was assigned to a French high school specializing in culinary and, through more Rotary networking, he was able to apprentice in the evenings at

Le Patio, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Following his Rotary year, he was offered a job at Le Patio but his mother insisted he get a university degree in Mexico. So Roberto did that, and throughout his college years, was able to work summers at Le Patio. Following graduation, he trained at the ultra-stylish Pujol in Mexico City, ranked No. 1 in Mexico City by The Wall Street Journal and one (#13 this year) of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World, an annual round-up that began in 2005 by UK-based Restaurant magazine.

I shared with Roberto that 23 years ago, Rotary Club of Coronado in conjunction with Calafia Rotary of Ensenada built a limb camp (for prostheses) in Ensenada, which is still in operation and supported by Coronado Rotary today. The Calafia Rotary thanked us with a fiesta – in Valle Guadalupe. I figured that Roberto, now 39, was probably on his Rotary Exchange in France at the time. Just goes to show you what a big, but at the same time, small, Rotary World it is!

For

dessert, “Manzana Verde” combined a Granny Smith strudel with roasted apple puree, dotted with apple sorbet, topped with a blown candied apple.

Valle’s Chef’s Table provides an intimate back-of-the-house dining experience.

A rich Chard Onion Tarte with Kaluga hybrid caviar

Pulpa (grilled octopus), enccahuatado (a chicken and peanut molé), goat cheese. Note that the “peanut in the shell” was really not a peanut at all; it was the enccahuatado in a peanut shell mold.

Within walking distance of our hotel, we visited two surprisingly entertaining museums, and along the way discovered murals, fountains and an Artist’s Alley. While I’m not a surfer, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the Oceanside Surf Museum, which has now been in operation for 37 years. Jane Schmauss, also not a surfer, serves as the museum’s historian, and co-founded it with a friend, Stuart Resor, who was a surfer. “It was Stuart’s concept to tell the story of surfing from the beginning,” Jane said. “I asked him, ‘How many surf museums are there?’ and he replied, ‘None.’ That did it for me! We thought it was important to start a museum

because so many of the pioneers were dying and their stories were dying with them.”

Today, the museum is in its sixth location. “Now the city has embraced us,” Jane said. “We have an excellent location, close to the ocean. But our archives are growing and we need a larger storage facility. Surfboards take up a lot of room!

Jane shared stories of Coronado dudes who played a part in surfing’s history. She started with Johnny Elwell, with whom she co-authored the book, Surfing in San Diego. Johnny and his brother Russ were Coronado lifeguards. Johnny Elwell, who passed away in 2021, was also an elementary school teacher in Coronado schools throughout the 1950s and 1960s and founded the Coronado Surfing Explorer Post 803 in the 1960s. In addition to coaching the boys on long-distance paddles, he organized them into beach cleanups.

Another longtime Coronado surfer was Tom Keck, a noted surf photographer who also was Surfer magazine’s main photographer in Hawaii for many years.

He then worked for the LA Times and San Diego Union-Tribune and local television, winning several Emmys.

Jane pointed to Dr. Vince Flynn of Coronado and his brothers for being responsible for getting Don Hansen out of his native South Dakota and into the SoCal surf culture. Vince picks up the story: “I was from a family of four brothers, all of whom my father didn’t want to be surf bums, so he insisted we attend his alma mater, the University of South Dakota.

“My brother Patrick was a fraternity brother of Don’s. In the South Dakota winters, we showed him a lot of surf films. He said, ‘I want to try that!’ and Patrick invited him out to Coronado. He stayed the whole summer and never went back. That would have been the summer of ’56. Yeah, at the end of the summer, my brothers and I went back to school, and Don stayed! That’s when my dad told him, ‘Don, it’s time for you to get your own place’ and for a while he lived out of the back of his panel truck. Then he got drafted into the army.”

In this photo shot in 1952, the late Johnny Elwell of Coronado is driving his 1932 Ford Phaeton on the beach at Cardiff, with his treasured Simmons board sticking out the back. Johnny was a San Diego County lifeguard at this time, patrolling the beaches from Swami’s to Seaside.

Undaunted courage: A special exhibit at the Surf Museum tells the story of Bethany Hamilton who lost her left arm to a Tiger shark (and a hefty chunk of her surfboard) while surfing in Kauai. Bethany continues to surf competitively and is a motivational speaker.

While he was stationed in Northern California, he learned how to shape surfboards under the tutelage of Jack O’Neill. Two years later, he got out of the army and spent a year surfing Hawaii’s North Shore. When he came back to the mainland, he started Hansen Surfboards in 1961 along Cardiff’s restaurant row in a space he rented from Tom Keck and eventually he moved down to Encinitas. It’s still there, expanded to 20,000 square feet and still family-run.

The Oceanside Museum of Art celebrates the work of Southern California artists. Founded in 1995, OMA (as its

known around town) is beloved for its boundary-pushing contemporary art exhibits that include light installations, paintings, sculpture, glass and more. The museum is heralded for its Modernist architecture. Its original structure was a 1934 building by renowned architect Irving Gill, with a 15,000 square-foot expansion by Modernist architect Frederick Fisher in 2005.

The Star Theatre opened on August 18, 1956 as a movie theatre, showing Moby Dick starring Gregory Peck. Designed by architect William Balch, it was from the era when neon was in vogue. In 1998 it

was awarded an Orchid Award for historic preservation. Today it continues operations as a performing arts venue. Linda and I also sneaked in one morning to The Brick Hotel and its rooftop Cococabana bar. Even though the bar was closed during our surreptitious morning visit, we could sense how much fun it would be. The 2,100 square-foot space features great views of Downtown Oceanside and the beach beyond. I want to go back for one of its tiki cocktails at sunset, or on a Tuesday for its TacoTuesday specials or on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for a bottomless mimosa.

At the Oceanside Museum of Art, San Diego artist Roberto Xavier Burden live-painted his twelveby-eight-foot Alien Painting during the run of his show of 25 works, Roberto Xavier Burden: Relics.

The Brick Hotel and its rooftop Cococabana Lounge are two happening places in Downtown Oceanside.

Neon lights continue to shine brightly at the Star Theatre on North Coast Boulevard.

Oceanside’s Design District: Restaurants, Brew Pubs and More!

On our first day in Oceanside my travel partner Linda and I ventured down the South Coast Highway to check out a restaurant, Dija Mara, which has been in the Michelin Guide since 2021. It’s squeezed into the middle of a nondescript block and we drove by it on our first attempt to find it. But inside, Dija Mara features excellent Balinese cuisine with interiors that feature bright and vibrant wall art and a tropical vibe. Linda and I chose three dishes to share: Roti (an Indian flatbread) was served with a piquant dipping sauce, and Charred Eggplant came with tomato sambai (a spicy Indonesian chili sauce). Nasi lemak was my favorite –it’s rice cooked in coconut milk and topped with a fried egg, accented with another sambai– this one, with anchovies.

Beer pubs abound in Oceanside and one of my new favorites is just down South Coast Highway: Bagby Beer has won awards for its “three beagles” English style brown ale. Its owner, Jeff Bagby, was formerly the brew master at Pizza Port in

Encinitas. Also in the neighborhood, you’ll find the South O Brewing Company and Pour House. In fact, you’ll find a dozen breweries, all within a few blocks. Tucked into a block just off the Coast Highway, we found a new concept in shopping and dining. Where three automotive repair facilities once occupied the space, The Tremont Collective features 14,000 square feet of coffee shops, restaurants and gift and apparel stores. It’s

kind of a neighborhood gathering spot, an “anti-mall” where you feel at home. Brixton, an Oceanside-based lifestyle and apparel store could be called the anchor tenant. And that’s only appropriate since the Brixton brand began in an Oceanside garage back in 2004 when entrepreneur David Stoddard was joined by friends Jason Young and Mike Chapin in a new venture. With start-up funds of $30,000 and a design for a classic “newsboy” hat,

At Dija Mara (above photos and lower left), Southeast Asian flavors are prepared with Japanese cooking techniques and take on a Western flair. The dish in the upper right is Nasi lemak. Lower right: You can find hand-painted Talavera sculptures at Carrillo Pottery, 309 South Coast Highway.

they began an ecommerce and wholesale business out of Stoddard’s garage. The product line expanded into many hat styles and other apparel products, and soon they were wholesaling to customers that included Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. There are now seven Brixton stores in Southern California. Other popular stops at Tremont Collective are Communal Coffee, a mix of all-day-eatery and floral shop, Shootz Fish & Beer, Bottlecraft (a bottle shop and bar) and Al Fresko, offering takeout foods and event space. But what really unites the space is a 3,400 spine along the interior of the shops, offering communal dining space, a stage, market lighting, an outdoor screen and projector. It’s an event space that can be privately rented and also where the developer offers special events including First Fridays with live music, art and food. The developer, FABRIC, takes its name from its belief that “thoughtful development can enhance the fabric of a neighborhood for generations to come.”

I enjoyed every beer in my flight at Bagby Beer in Oceanside’s Design District. Just around the corner from the brewery, the Tremont Collective brings together shops and restaurants, anchored by Oceanside’s homegrown lifestyle brand, Brixton. I’ll go back there for my next hat…

The Switchboard’s name and décor pay homage to the building’s former role as a communications center for switchboard operators during World War II.

On a gal-pals outing to Oceanside back in February during Mardi Gras, I discovered another hidden treasure right in the center of O’side: Bliss Tea & Treats. It’s right on Mission Avenue, a block west or the huge Regal Theatre complex. The entire space was decorated for Mardi Gras, with inviting sofas and seating for singles or small groups, and a large party table in the back for groups, such as our soiree.

Owner Rushell Gordon greeted us and her staff began with a bit of tea education. Then we chose two flavors, a vanilla and an almond tea for our table. Two more tea flavors eventually joined the throng. We began with individual salads to allow ourselves to feel that we were being responsible and eating healthily. And then we were each presented with a three-tiered plate of delectable treats, savory and sweet, to enjoy with our teas, which included a choice of four unique teas from around the world. Rushell was born in Panama and lived there until she was five. Her father joined the U.S. military and the family traveled

throughout the United States. In 1985 her father retired and Rushell’s parents settled in Oceanside; Rushell followed in 2011.

Over the years, Rushell traveled the world, discovering “beautifully decorated tea rooms and immaculate desserts” in Sydney, Australia, relaxing high teas throughout Europe, and tea traditions in Asia. “The healing nature of tea is celebrated as part of many cultures,” Rushell says. “After trying Thai iced tea in Thailand and green tea in Japan and China, I fell in love with the traditions.”

She earned an executive MBA from Pepperdine University in 2015 and then a certificate as a tea specialist from the World Tea Academy. In 2017, she began investigating the possibilities of opening a tea establishment in Oceanside and found the perfect spot in the heart of downtown.

She founded her company in December 2019 and opened for business in May 2020, during the pandemic.

Talk about keeping the faith!

This year the city’s destination marketing organization, Visit Oceanside, with key input from Oceanside city staff and residents, has embarked on a ten-year “Sustainable Tourism Master Plan.” The plan will have two overarching goals: drive diverse demand opportunities throughout the year and mitigate highly impacted times and locations.

Four objectives are 1) to shape and expand the city’s economy in ways that ensure its long-term sustainability and vibrancy; 2) provide an excellent visitor experience that highlights the city’s sustainability values and promotes repeat patronage; 3) maintain the residents’ quality of life and 4) position the city as a national and international leader in destination stewardship.

It’s a tall order. But so far, Oceanside has been doing a fine job, balancing economic development with residents’ wishes, passions and talents. They’ve been “keeping it real,” as they say, since 1888!

Rushell Gordon, right, has always had a passion for teas and entertaining. She shares them both, plus sweet and savory offerings, at Bliss Tea & Treats.

IF YOU GO …

Visit Oceanside

The City’s Destination Marketing Organization has an excellent website with accommodations, attractions, restaurants and more.

www.VisitOceanside.org

Restaurants Breweries / Wineries

Valle

Oceanside’s first Michelin-starred restaurant is fabulous! www.valleoceanside.com

Bliss Tea & Treats

301 Mission Avenue

www.blissteatreats.com

Here are two I tried and loved!

Bagby Beer

601 South Coast Highway

www.bagbybeer.com

Kilowatt Brewing

406 Mission Avenue (Downtown)

www.Kilowatt.beer

Beach House Winery

The winery is on the eastern fringe of the city, at the crest of “Sleeping Indian” Mountain with lovely views. It is only open noon – 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday

1534 Sleeping Indian Road (760) 732-3236

Museums/Attractions

The Oceanside Civic Center was designed by architect Charles Moore and opened in 1990. Moore’s design drew inspiration from architect Irving Gill and features unadorned classic lines.

Where to Stay

Mission Pacific Hotel

(This is where I stayed…I recommend it, plus dinner at Valle, on the property.)

www.missionpacifichotel.com

The Seabird Resort

(The sister property of Mission Pacific – a little more family oriented)

www.theseabirdresort.com

The Brick Hotel

This 1888 three-story brick building has been redone as a boutique hotel with ten guest rooms, a first-floor restaurant and rooftop bar and lounge. www.thebrickhotel.com

SpringHill Suites by Marriott

Be sure to specify the one at 110 North Myers Street (just off Mission) in Downtown Oceanside, not the one at Camp Pendleton. www.marriott.com>springhilll>oceanside

Blade 1936

The original office of the Blade-Tribune newspaper and architect Irving Gill’s last commercial commission lives on! The art deco building is now home to a trendy Italian restaurant. www.blade1936.com

Cococabana

A Caribbean-inspired bar and lounge with a small bites menu atop the Brick Hotel.

www.cococabanaoside.com

Dija Mara

232 South Coast Highway

www.dijamara.com

Shootz Fish & Beer

www.ShootzFishxBeer.com

The Switchboard

131 South Coast Highway

www.theswitchboardrestaurant.com

Oceanside Surf Museum

www.surfmuseum.org

Oceanside Museum of Art www.oma-online.org

Mission San Luis Rey

The “King of the Missions” is also the largest of the 21 California missions. www.missionscalifornia.com

Regal Cinema

Oh, come on! You know you want to see that new Barbie movie! Regal Cinema’s 16 screens are right in the heart of Downtown! 401 Mission Avenue

www.regmovies.com

The “Love the O” interactive sculpture at the Oceanside Harbor allows visitors to leave a personal love lock and offers opportunities for dramatic photos as the sun is captured within the sculpture’s open heart center at sunset.

Oceanside Harbor Village

Family-friendly oceanfront dining, shopping, sea life tours, beaches and picnic areas, boat rentals.

www.oceansideharborvillage.com

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McKay & Associates is proud to present the following Featured Properties

How Will You Exit Your Business?

If you own a business, you’ve always got a lot on your mind. But no matter how busy you are today, you need to think about tomorrow. Specifically, you’ll want to create an exit strategy for the day you want to move on from your business to a new phase in your life.

To develop this strategy, you’ll need to address these key questions:

How much is your business worth?

You may want to calculate your business’ value three to five years before your planned exit. You could do this on your own, but it’s typically advantageous to use professional valuation services. If you’re gifting or selling your business to family members, selling it to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or settling an estate, you’ll need to get a more formal qualified appraisal to meet IRS standards.

How much do you need (or want) for your business?

Ideally, you’ll want the sale of your business to meet your retirement and estate-planning goals. So, you’ll need to think carefully about these goals and what costs they may entail. And these issues aren’t just financial — for example, when you think about how you may want to spend your time in retirement, you might realize that you don’t really want to exit your business completely. So, you might decide to sell just part of it, or sell it entirely, but stay on to help manage it or possibly do some consulting for the new owners.

How can you close the gap between what you need and what your business is worth?

The amount you need from the sale of your business to support your retirement goals may be more than what your business is actually worth. To help close this gap, you could try to boost your business’s profits through the usual means, such as introducing new products, raising prices or cutting costs. But you might also try to lower the amount you need from the sale by working longer, reducing your personal spending and saving more outside the business.

Who will take over your business?

When planning for a successor for your business, you have several choices, including selling to a family member or an outside buyer. Going public or liquidating the business are also options. These are distinct paths, but depending on your circumstances, one might be more appropriate for you than another. To cite just one factor, if you don’t have an obvious choice for a family member to take over the business, you might have to consider other buyers. In any case, you’ll need to explore all the economic and personal factors involved in the choice of successor.

Who can help you with your exit strategy?

Exiting a business can be complex. To ensure you’re making the right moves for your overall financial and family situations, you may want to build an exit strategy team, possibly consisting of your financial, legal and tax advisors. You may also need to enlist the services of a commercial banker and a business evaluation expert. Each of these professionals can bring a different area of expertise to your exit decisions, and together they can help address all the issues related to your exit strategy.

Exiting your business will take a lot of planning and decisions — but if it’s done right, it can be worth the effort.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

Bay Books Book Club Corner

What books people are reading…

Zero Days

By Ruth Ware

The New York Times bestselling “new Agatha Christie” (Air Mail) Ruth Ware returns with this adrenaline-fueled thriller that combines Mr. and Mrs. Smith with The Fugitive about a woman in a race against time to clear her name and find her husband’s murderer.

Hired by companies to break into buildings and hack security systems, Jack and her husband, Gabe, are the best penetration specialists in the business. But after a routine assignment goes horribly wrong, Jack arrives home to find her husband dead. To add to her horror, the police are closing in on their suspect—her.

The Unhoneymooners

By Christina Lauren

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion...she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas. Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is...Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

The Last Garden in England

By Julia Kelly

From the author of the international best sellers The Light Over London and The Whispers of War comes “a compelling read, filled with lovable characters and an alluring twist of fates” (Ellen Keith, author of The Dutch Wife) about five women living across three different times whose lives are all connected by one very special garden. “Gorgeously written and rooted in meticulous period detail, this novel is vibrant as it is stirring. Fans of historical fiction will fall in love with The Last Garden in England.” (Roxanne Veletzos, author of The Girl They Left Behind).

The House in The Cerulean Sea

By TJ Klune

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He’s tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place - and realizing that family is yours.

“1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in.” (Gail Carriger, New York Times best-selling author of Soulless).

Scott Aurich

(619) 987-9797

(619) 437-1614

ScottAurich.com

Scott@ScottAurich.com

DRE#00978974

Shelly Klessinger (619) 519-3925

shellyklessinger@gmail.com

DRE#01355449

Beth Aiello

(619) 300-3577

realtybybeth@gmail.com

realtybybeth.com

DRE#01775191

Mariane Abbott

(619) 301-2452

marianeabbott@yahoo.com

DRE#01438122

Gerri-Lynn Fives

(619) 813-7193

justgl@coronadobeach.com

DRE#01274657

Ashley Arliss

(619) 519-3290

Youragentash@gmail.com

DRE#02077483

Marisa Ponce

(619) 321-9660

ponceh3@yahoo.com

DRE#01820090

Millie Chase

(760) 803-0140

prioritybychase@gmail.com

DRE#01800422

Lorena Saenz-Ruiz

(619) 252-0828

lorena92118@gmail.com

DRE #02102063

Greg Laird Miller

(619) 734-7720

greglairdmiller@gmail.com

DRE #02205685

ScottAurich.com

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

Fran Carrigan

(619) 852-3898

francescarrigan2@gmail.com

DRE#01017971

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Jan Clements

(619) 806-7052

Jan@JanClements.com

DRE#01120956

Lennie Clements (619) 894-0033

LennieClements@yahoo.com

DRE#01864061

Chris Clements

(619) 203-8538

Christopher.L.Clements@gmail.com

DRE#01877934

ClementsGroupRE.com

Compass Real Estate

(619) 823-2142

cahern@bhhscal.com

DRE#01262309

Charles Ahern Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties

Christine Baker

(858) 449-3200

chris@bakersellssandiego.com

BakerSellsSanDiego.com

DRE#01808132

Willis Allen Real Estate

Jaime Bea

(619) 357-5581

Jaime.ccr@gmail.com

DRE#01387894

Coronado Cays Realty

Stacy Bell Begin

(619) 200-9184

DRE#02014995

StacyBegin619@gmail.com

Felicia Bell

(619) 920-9184

DRE#00429681

FeliciaFBell@gmail.com

www.Shorelifeluxury.com

Coronado Shores Company

Jeff Brummitt

619-208-1342

JB@JeffBrummitt.com

DRE#00663912

Islander Realty

Phyl Sarber (619) 933-1276

DRE#00636519

Charlotte Rudowicz (619) 865-0794

DRE#01435710

Frances MacCartee (619) 312-7466

DRE#0200954

Compass Real Estate

Doni Corcoran (858) 922-0978

corcoran.doni@gmail.com

DRE#01951522

eXp Realty

Lisa Storey (619) 997-3112

Sales & Rentals

Lisa@CoronadoPremier Properties.com

DRE#01185272

Herlinda Sandoval-Ryan

(619) 917-8888

Hablo Español

Herlinda@CoronadoPremier Properties.com

DRE#0120853

Kina Fowler (619) 823-6725

Sales & Rentals

Kina@CoronadoPremier Properties.com

DRE#01991990

Tazzie Treadwell (619) 888-6401

Sales & Rentals

Tazzie@CoronadoPremier Properties.com

DRE# 02022372

CoronadoPremierProperties.com

CoronadoRentals.com

Hablamos Español

Myssie McCann (619) 435-6238

myssie@coronadoshoresco.com

DRE#02145422

Martha Kuenhold (619) 987-7725

mkuenhold@gmail.com

DRE#01369875

John Harrington

(619) 200-8504

jharrington60@gmail.com

DRE#01210260

Raquel Fernandez (619) 453-4513

Raquel@coronadoshoresrealtor.com

DRE#01945891

CoronadoShoresCo.com

Coronado Shores Company

Adrienne Dente

(619) 850-2880

adriennedd@aol.com

DRE#00932112

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

DRE#01783387

Broker Associate

Cassandra Goldberg

619-820-8477

cassandra@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#02100680

Realtor

Nellie Harris-Ritter 619-540-0111

nellie@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#02077055

Realtor

Tina Twite-Chin (619) 488-0285

tina@delcoronadorealty.com

DRE#01427355

Broker Associate

delcoronadorealty.com

Del Coronado Realty

Julia M. Elassaad

(619) 573-8350

jelassaad@cbwhomes.com

DRE#01937427

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#02090976

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

(619) 847-4282

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 Chris Probasco

(619) 435-0988

(619) 435-0988

David@justlistedhomes.com Chris@justlistedhomes.com DRE#02118648

DRE#01184568

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

(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

DRE#01390529

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

Tom Tilford (619) 300-2218

tom@tomtilfordre.com

DRE#01897051

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Napolitano & Associates

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