Full-color coffee table style book chronicling Chula Vista’s 100-year history makes a great holiday gift and gives back to the local community

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (November 13, 2012) – Over the holiday shopping season, proceeds from purchases of the award winning coffee table style history book “Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress” will go to the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation to fund local philanthropic efforts in the city of Chula Vista.

The book is now available for $24.99 at Barnes & Noble in Otay Ranch Town Center and at both Chula Vista Costco locations at membership pricing through the New Year. The book can also be purchased (cash or check only) at Chula Vista City Hall at the front desk of the office of the Mayor and Council Mon. thru Thurs., 8a.m. – 5p.m. (276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista 91910) through December 22, 2012.

“Sales of this beautiful book can help increase funding for positive community efforts made possible through the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation,” said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. “You can give people in your life a lasting gift for the holidays, knowing your gift is also working to help others in our community.”

In 2012, the Chula Vista Charitable Foundation awarded more than $47,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Chula Vista. These awards enabled South Bay Family YMCA and The Starlight Center to provide physical activity and healthy lifestyle education for 500 elementary school children and more than 150 adults with disabilities. The Chula Vista Community Collaborative also benefitted from a grant to help Chula Vista families in crisis access needed services.

Written by acclaimed historian and University of San Diego professor emeritus Steven Schoenherr, the book illustrates the first one hundred years of Chula Vista’s history. Taking the reader on a chronological and visual journey decade by decade, “Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress” brings to life historic facts and personal recollections of residents, educators and leaders in business and local government. From the images of the town’s Great Flood to stories about the first dog catcher and historic home preservation, readers will experience the hardships and good times that made Chula Vista the community it is today.

Our book Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress by Steven Schoenherr is the 2012 winner of the Local Interest and History category awarded by the San Diego Book Awards Association (SDBAA). Founded in 1994, the SDBAA honors the best published books and unpublished manuscripts by San Diego County residents each year. A volunteer organization, SDBBA is dedicated to enriching the large, diverse, and vibrant literary community of the nation’s third largest county. 

Mayor Cheryl Cox accepted the award for author Steven Schoenherr at the evening ceremony held on June 9, 2012 at the AMN Healthcare auditorium in San Diego. The Eighteenth Annual Award Ceremony was hosted by author Bruno Leone and the guest speaker was Sylvia Mendoza, journalist and author of The Book of Latina Women: 150 Vidas of Passion, Strength and Success.