Since moving to the San Diego area, my brother Bill has coined a phrase that he joyfully utters repeatedly, “Another day in paradise!”

That sentiment shows exactly how I feel about living in Coronado. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel very blessed and lucky to live here. Walking through the village, riding my bicycle along San Diego Bay, collecting shells on the beach while watching the dogs surf on Dog Beach – this is all a part of my life in Coronado.

And, it’s not just about the beauty here; a big part of the attraction of living here is the strong sense of community. Sure, we have thousands of tourists and visitors every year, but at its heart, Coronado is a small town with small town values. It is evident in our weekly community newspaper, The Coronado Eagle. Distributed every Wednesday, The Eagle is a free publication that keeps the locals up to date on Coronado news, events, sports, weddings, births, and deaths – all the things that happen in our daily lives.

Coronado is a “Navy” town and as such, there is also a strong sense of patriotism here. North Island is home to the Naval Air Station and in land mass encompasses more than half of the island. Many of those who currently serve or have served over the years have made Coronado their permanent home. When a ship deploys, yellow ribbons spring up all over town and when it returns the island is dotted with hand made welcome home signs.

Some of my favorite times in Coronado are during the annual special events. There is the Holiday Parade the first Friday of December, the Flower Show in April, the Summer Concert Series, the Independence Day Parade and the Halloween Open House. Participation runs high at these events and they highlight the spirit of Coronado.