News
Optimist Club of Coronado
Introducing Tom Catlin
From Tom: I began in television in 1989 after graduating from San Diego State. I have worked as a reporter, producer, camera person and editor in Palm Springs, Nashville, Orange County, CA, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego, twice. I have worked for Fox Sports San Diego since 2011 producing shows about the Padres. I recently won my 6th Emmy for a story we hope to show you today assuming screen sharing works.
More information about Tom: Producer of television documentaries and biographies, including writing, shooting and editing, for Fox Sports San Diego, the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. I have also managed Production and Advertising for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.
Television biographies for the Boston Red Sox that aired on NESN include; Dave Roberts, Carl Yastrzemski, Dom DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Fred Lynn, Tim Wakefield, Jim Lonborg, Carlton Fisk, Dwight Evans, Joe Cronin, Terry Francona, Rick Burleson, Wade Boggs and more.
Television biographies for the San Diego Padres that aired on Fox Sports San Diego include; Tony Gwynn, Dick Enberg, Matt Kemp, Andrew Cashner, Jedd Gyorko, Derek Norris, The Padres Owners, Peter Seidler, Ron Fowler and Alfredo Harp Helú, Trevor Hoffman's Call to the Hall of Fame.
Find Us
Every Thursday Morning at 7:00 am in the Coronado Community Center.
1845 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
facebooktwitter
Donate to Youth Activities
Message from Sharp Coronado Hospital
Dear Optimist Club Members:
We are writing to ask for your support in Sharp Coronado Hospital’s offsite COVID-19 vaccine clinic. As you may know the County of San Diego has authorized Healthcare Workers in Tier 1A to receive vaccine at this time. Sharp Coronado Hospital is now actively working to open an appointment only Tier 1A COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic using the County website appointment system. It is our hope that such efforts will assist in getting the vaccine process moving along. We are urgently in need of physicians, nurses and pharmacists who can assist in vaccinating individuals and in need of additional support to help with registration, greeting, outside monitor and runners to help the team.
Volunteers are needed beginning Wednesday, January 13 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center’s Nautilus Room. The clinic will be open by appointment only for Healthcare Workers - Tier 1A Monday – Friday 10am – 7pm except holidays.
Available shifts for volunteers include:
- Morning: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Afternoon 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. or
- 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. with a break for lunch (to be provided).
Volunteer roles include:
- Vaccinators: Qualified individuals who can administer the vaccine are attached on the document titled Authorized + Potential Vaccinators. On-site training will be provided.
- Greeter/Door Monitor: 2 needed per shift; ensure guests are wearing mask, keep their social distance and have necessary paperwork to validate their appointment
- Registration: 5 needed per shift; validate guest’s appointment and direct them to vaccinator
- Line Monitor: 1 needed per shift; answer questions and help guests maintain social distance
- Runner: 2 needed per shift; help vaccinators with needs including but not limiting transporting items by car from Community Center to Sharp Coronado Hospital
- Floater: 1 needed per shift; support needs of any volunteers or guests
- Outside Monitor: 2 needed per shift; monitor individuals vaccinated for 15 minutes to ensure there is no allergic reaction
Sharp Coronado is working hard to be part of the County of San Diego effort to vaccinate the greatest number of people who qualify receive the vaccine. We are enthusiastic that this is the first step toward wider vaccine availability for the community.
Volunteers will be compliant with all COVID-19 prevention protocols to the best of our ability including social distancing of 6 feet, wearing a mask and having hand sanitizer available at every volunteer station. If you are uncomfortable or feel your health is at risk in any way, we would ask that you not volunteer.
If you are interested, please contact Shannon Pavell at shannon.pavell@sharp.com or 619-522-3758 with your name, contact information, role of interest and availability.
Thank you for helping us be a part of the solution to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We appreciate your gift of time.
Sincerely,
Sharp Coronado Hospital
2019 Oratorical Contest Results
MeOptimism Declaimed, Wonderfully: Fourteen eager students, aged eleven to fourteen, from Sacred Heart Parish School and Coronado Middle School, spoke on the topic Is There A Fine Line Between Reality And Optimism? at the Coronado Optimists 48th Annual Oratorical Contest on February 27th in the Library’s Winn Room. All the students carried themselves well and dealt with this seemingly dry topic with winning charm, vivacity, and persuasive sincerity to the delight parents, siblings, and Optimists filling the Coronado Library’s Winn Room. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medallion winners were: Logan McKerring, Valeria Quiroga, and Marietta Renison. Bravos to all!
There were many memorable moments in the students’ 4 – 5 minute speeches. They quoted many historic optimists including Henry Ford, “…If you think you can or you can’t you are right,” “…Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently,” and added their own insightful aphorisms, “…Reality is life, optimism makes life better,” “…Reality is the facts of life that surround you, but optimism is a positive lens through which you view your reality,” “…Things happen because of our optimism in ourselves and in others,” “…If Jack can climb the beanstalk, you can get your job…,” “…it was through optimism and family love that we got through that reality…,” “….Optimism is a state of mind...that can steer you to accept any reality…,” and “I am optimistic that I have a chance of winning this contest today, and that is my way of showing optimism in reality.” Coronado
Optimist Club President Carla Fargo and President-elect Dennis Dorman presented each student a well-earned Certificate of Participation and thanked the parents and teachers for encouraging their students to enter the contest. All were very proud of their students, daughters and sons who are terrific young adults with bright futures
Judges for the contest were Mike Lavin, Paul Lull, and George Kunberger, with Sue Cargill serving as timekeeper; Marta Radcliffe, Julia Turpit, and Molly McKay as greeters/curators; Pat Kelly, Sergeant-At-Arms; Lee Cargill, photographer; Irish Flynn, contest scribe; and Gene Rathswohl, contest coordinator – Optimist Club members all.
Announcing the 2019 Oratorical Contest
The Wall! Immigrants!! Climate Change!! Violence and conflicts!! Poverty!! Security!! The list of human concerns goes on and on. What is the reality of these issues? Can we be optimistic about the future? Coronado school students are urged to express their own thoughts and concerns in the 2019 Coronado Optimists Oratorical Contest on the topic Is There A Fine Line Between Optimism And Reality?
This is the 48th year of the Coronado Optimists’ contest and will be held in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library on Wednesday, February 27th at 3:30 – 6:00p.m. The contest is an enjoyable but serious public-speaking opportunity for Coronado students to explore why they are so confident and optimistic about their future. All are invited to attend the contest, especially the students’ families and friends, and be amazed with the students’ insights and the quality of their speeches.
All Coronado school students, including home-schooled students, under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2018 (there is no minimum age) are eligible to participate and encouraged to apply. Students are urged to work with his/her teacher to prepare their speech.
The students’ 4 – 5 minute speeches are judged on content, presentation, poise, and overall effectiveness. All the students receive participation certificates and the top three students receive medallions and cash awards. The top two students can go on to compete at the Optimists zone and district level contests in April for college scholarships up to $2,500; the district level winner can participate in the Optimist Oratorical World Championship in July for a college scholarship up to $22,500.
The Application form, which includes all the contest rules, is below. It is also available from Gene Rathswohl, the contest coordinator, at erathswohl@san.rr.com.
Completed application forms should be mailed to:
Gene Rathswohl
924 Eighth Street
Coronado, CA 92118
Applications must be received by Friday, February 22, 2019.
A maximum of 20 students can participate, so the earlier an application is submitted the better. Feel free to contact Gene with any questions you have regarding the contest.
(image above is from the 2018 Oratorical Contest)
Optimist Club Sports Fiesta 2018 Results
Thank you to all participants of the Optimist Club of Coronado's Sports Fiesta 2018!
Optimist 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!
A Tribute to Optimist Stan Searfus
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.
CHS Girls Basketball
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!
Coronado Junior Optimist Activities
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!
Optimist Sports Fiesta Video 2017
We are fortunate to have a member who has a very talented son! Ben Ruef documented our Sports Fiesta with a beautifully creative video. Thanks, Ben!!!
Installation Dinner Sep 18, 2017
On Monday at Spiros we had our annual Installation of the new board with President Crawford and release of the old board with President Zoll. Molly and Renee did a marvelous job setting up our party...food was delightful, and the company was superb. Matt Heinecke was a great addition to the evening of friendship and lovely sunset on the San Diego Bay. Again mission accomplished by Zoll and welcome Don and his team. Looking forward to another great year of Optimism.
Eagle Scout Candidate Jack Schiaffino
Jack Schiaffino, accompanied by his parents, came to share his completed Eagle Scout project at NASNI. He thanked the Optimist Club of Coronado for helping him with expenses of the project. Congratulations, Jack, on a job well done!
New Member Johnny Perez
The Optimist Club of Coronado welcomed a new member into our club. Johnny Perez was a guest speaker and apparently liked what he saw, so he came back and decided to join! Welcome to the club, Johnny!!!
Optimists support an AED at Bradley Field
Coronado Police Det. Brian Wray stepped up to receive a check from Optimist President Jim Zoll for help in purchasing an AED for the Vernetti Baseball little league field.
Optimist Club of Coronado Oratorical Contest 2017
Optimist Club of Coronado to Sponsor Oratorical Contest
“To be, or not to be…” famously spoke Hamlet. Local Coronado students can earnestly speak their thoughts on the topic, What the World Gains from Optimism, as participants in the 2017 Optimist International Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Optimist Club of Coronado.
The Oratorical Contest gives students an opportunity to organize and present their ideas and opinions to an audience, a valuable life skill. The Optimist Club of Coronado has been sponsoring the Oratorical Contest each year since 1971 helping to bring out the best in our students.
This year’s contest will be held in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library on Wednesday, March 22nd at 3:30 p.m. Judges will assess the students’ 4 – 5 minute speeches based on content, presentation, poise, and overall effectiveness. The top three students receive medallions and cash awards. The top two students have the opportunity to compete at the zone level contest in April; the zone winners will then compete at the California-South District level for the opportunity to win college scholarships.
Coronado students, including home-schooled students, under the age of 18 as of October 1, 2016 are eligible to participate and encouraged to apply. Application forms and contest rules are available online and from Gene Rathswohl, the contest coordinator, at erathswohl@san.rr.com. Completed application forms should be either emailed or mailed to Gene Rathswohl, 924 Eighth St., Coronado, CA 92118. Applications must be received by Tuesday, March 14th. A maximum of 20 students can participate, so the earlier an application is submitted the better. Contact Gene with any questions regarding the contest rules.
Optimist International is one of the world’s largest service club organizations with over 75,000 adult and youth members in 2,600 clubs in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and throughout the world. Carrying the motto, “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about the Optimist Club of Coronado, visit our web site, come to a weekly Thursday morning meeting at 7:00 AM at the Community Center, or contact any member of the club.
SouperBowl of Caring 2017
Octagon Club had their SouperBowl of Caring Food Drive on February 5th...SuperBowl Sunday. A total of 1,450 cans of food were collected from generous donors around Coronado. The Octagon Club of Coronado would like to thank all those who donated to help this collection be a great success.