Today the San Diego Padres open their 43^rd season against the San Francisco Giants. This gives us an opportunity to thank the Padres for visiting Chula Vista on March 19^th to host an entertaining pre-season rally. The event was also generously hosted by Otay Ranch Town Center. Our thanks go to their staff for supporting a fun centennial community day, and also to the sponsors: Coin Mart, Sycuan Band of Kumeyaay Indians and North Island Credit Union.

The Padres Rally was a kick-off to this Sunday’s “Chula Vista Centennial Day with the Padres,” when Chula Vistans will head to PETCO Park to watch the Friars take on the L.A Dodgers. The game is close to selling out, but discounted tickets are still available through ChulaVista100.com.

Chula Vista officially became a city on October 17, 1911 by popular vote. The results were ratified by the state in mid-November, and the five elected members of the Board of Trustees met for the first time later that month in the first city hall - a small building built in 1910 for the People's Bank.

A new year symbolically marks a new start. For Chula Vista, 2011 marks the start of a year-long Centennial Celebration. Our 100^th birthday is a significant milestone, a once-in-a-century opportunity to acknowledge the growth and accomplishments of our great city and its people. It’s a chance to look back and learn about what brought us here today as we look forward to celebrating for Chula Vista’s accomplishments.

Through the end of this year, 100 Centennial Seconds will be presented at the beginning of each council meeting to share something new about the centennial celebration, an interesting story, thought or piece of history that commemorates our 100^th birthday.

Yesterday, people across the nation celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday by cleaning up neighborhoods, erasing graffiti, and visiting the frail or elderly. These actions were a tribute to Dr. King’s life’s work of advancing equality, social justice and opportunity.

The King Holiday and Service Act of 1994, led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, established the King Holiday as the only national holiday designated as a day of service. Chula Vistans can make lasting change through ongoing commitments of service which are invaluable to our city’s long-term success as a caring community.

This year, one of the most significant books in Chula Vista’s History will be published. Written by local resident and retired USD professor Dr. Steven Schoenherr, Chula Vista: A History of People and Progress is a coffee table-style book every Chula Vistan will be proud to own and share.

Decade by decade, this book brings Chula Vista to life through historical facts and personal recollections of the city's land and people. Interviews with residents, business leaders, educators, and local government officials are accompanied by full-color maps of the city’s growth and neighborhoods. Over 200 historic photos highlight development in industry, commerce, politics and culture.

Today, I would like to read some excerpts from chapter two, depicting an event that happened this week nearly 100 years ago.