Thank you to all participants of the Optimist Club of Coronado’s Sports Fiesta 2018!
New and Old Events Highlight 2018 Optimists Club’s Sports Fiesta
It is historic. It is fun, and most importantly, it is an inspiring collaboration of local businesses joining forces to support Coronado’s youth.
Returning events include the 1-mile rough water ocean swim, a 5K run, and the longest, continuous running triathlon in the world. The triathlon consists of a 400 yard ocean swim, 1-mile run and 4-mile bike ride.
New events on Saturday, July 28, include a Cornhole tournament (youth and adult divisions) and Family Carnival. Both will run from noon – 4:00 pm at Sunset Park. Beach Volleyball at North Beach begins at 9 am. Pickleball and Lawn Bowling tournaments will be on Sunday, July 29th at the Coronado Marriott and Spreckels Community Center and Bowling Green, respectively.
For spectators and those who just want to hang out and enjoy a Coronado tradition, there will be a picnic area from noon to 4pm at Sunset Park. All are encouraged to bring their own food and drink, (no alcohol please) or they can order from Panera, which will be taking orders and delivering to Sunset Park July 28th.
Entrance fees range from $10 (for under 18) to $40 (day of registration). Some events are capped, so sign up early by clicking the Sports Fiesta link at the top of this page. Carnival games are just 50 cents and everyone wins a prize!
This morning we had a special presentation by Ben Ruef. His mother, Julie, is an Optimist Club member. Ben was one of the lucky kids who was mentored by our own Optimist, the late Stan Searfus. Ben produced a spectacular tribute video of Stan and gave us a showing. Excellent and inspiring work, Ben. You’ve created a lasting legacy for one of the good guys, our friend Stan.
{ 0 comments }
It was a busy meeting this morning! Past President Diana filled in for El Presidente, Don while he convalesces. The meeting was a packed agenda.
Girls Lacrosse came to pick up a check and give us an update. The Girl Scouts came to collect some funding AND sell Girl Scout cookies.
The Honorable Mayor Richard Bailey was our guest speaker and filled us in on a whole bunch of important information. Always great to see him, which is a lot since he’s an Optimist Club member!
Girls Water Polo is doing swimmingly well and came by to tell us how things are going with the team! And if your house could talk its story would be with the Coronado Historical Association. Robin MacCartee came to share all the incredible things happening at CHA. How fortunate for Coronado that we have such a dedicated group to preserve out very interesting history!
Lots of activity at this morning’s meeting. 
DeeDee Deleo, President of Coronado High School’s Octagon Club came to tell us about how successful the SuperBowl of Caring event went down on Sunday. Over 650 cans of food to send to the needy. She also thanked everyone who came out to drive, collect and sort the food. A job well done.
To the left of DeeDee is Matt Smith, the Coronado Middle School JOI Advisor came to another meeting. Optimist member, Erin Downey, who advises both clubs is hanging out on the other side.
After a rousing first half of the meeting, the Honorable Mayor Richard Bailey gave us a brisk but thorough shakedown on what’s happening in our great city. Now the city can take care of things in Caltrans corridors without their prior approval, and they’ll pay for it! And we’re getting a traffic light at 4th and Alameda within the next two months. Those were just a couple of the highlights. Thanks, Mayor, for all the work you do for our city. And he’s an Optimist Club member!
The CHS Girls Basketball Team came to update us on their season. We give them a check to help with their expenses. It’s always a pleasure to see the youth we support at our meetings!
Our guest speaker today was our own Optimist, Tom Catlin. Tom works at Fox5 Sports now but has had a career that has taken him across the country and back.Tom started his television career interviewing our own SD Padre Tony Gwynn. Tony’s best day at bat was a home run at Yankee Stadium in game 1 of the World Series Padres vs Yankees.
Tom career made a move to the Boston Red Soxs and was lucky to be a part of the staff when the team won the World Series in 2004. Tom brought in his World Series ring to share.Tom, back on the west coast, interviewed Tommy LaSorda who shared how he got into the game of baseball. Shagging balls sent over a prison wall which landed in a cemetery. Tom said Tommy was wonderful to his son…taught him how to shake hands, look people in the eyes, to listen and respect your parents.
More interviews with Dick Enberg on how he got into being a sports announcer and the turning point of the Red Sox/Yankee World Series 2004 when Dave Roberts stole second base. Again Tom promises to come back with more baseball stories and history. We hope so!
Coronado’s Junior Optimist Club, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Coronado, participated in group activities and team building with other Junior Optimist clubs from the San Diego/CALSOUTH area.
A nice turnout of 18 enthusiastic Junior Optimists and three Junior Optimist Club Advisors met at the Mission Bay Santa Clara Recreation Center near the Sail Bay area of the Park on January 20, 2018. Junior Optimists representing six California South (CALSO) District Junior Optimist Clubs shared a morning of fun activities led by Immediate Past President of Junior Optimist International, O’Hara Wickham, and current Junior Optimist International Director, and Coronado’s own, Cole Mullins.
The group performed a team oriented, “ice breaker” activity searching the floor for answers to questions posed by the leaders. New friendships were made, and a lot of fun was had by all. The Club Members shared their recent and current Club activities and upcoming plans. The leaders shared news from the CALSO JOI District and Junior Optimist International and upcoming Scholarship Contests, including Essay, Oratorical, and the Reel Optimism Video Contest. A pizza luncheon was enjoyed by all before the teams headed out for the beach cleanup community service project. Books were collected for the inner city school in the CALSO JOI District wide ‘Joy of Reading’ service project. The event was concluded with a clean beach, happy Junior Optimists, and thanks from the Park Ranger for a job well done!
