This week’s 100 centennial seconds is about the 60s. The decade began with President Eisenhower visiting Chula Vista making his entrance by marine helicopter to a crowd of 25,000 people made up of Chula Vistans, dignitaries from Tijuana, and Inter-American Congress delegates. Schools were closed for the day and the bands from Chula Vista and Hilltop High Schools, the only high schools in Chula Vista, joined to play the national anthem for the ceremony.

The South Bay Power Plant opened in the 60s, and no longer operates today. City Council met, Congressional Towers opened as did the short-lived Shangri-La on G Street.

Photographs provide us with memories of the past. Thanks to the efforts of library staff and volunteers, our community has the opportunity this Thursday, June 16th to view a new photography exhibit at the Chula Vista Heritage Museum titled Glimpses of History: Celebrating 100 years of Chula Vista.

Today’s 100 Centennial seconds focuses on Third Avenue, and before I go any further, let’s take a quick look at a video produced by Channel 4 in 2010 featuring Chula Vista librarian Donna Golden.

On Saturday July 9th, the Third Avenue Village Association (TAVA) invites families and friends to join the first annual Village Hunt from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event starts and finishes at Memorial Park. Participants will receive a Hunt Packet, race number bib, an official Village Hunt T-Shirt, and are invited to partake in an after party and awards ceremony.

Today we visit the 1930’s in an excerpt from our soon-to-be released book Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress.

The Great Depression closed industries, but agriculture thrived. Lemon exports grew to nearly $1 million a year. Dairies flourished in Castle Park and Proctor Valley. Stafford and Chino organized the Celery Association, and the Vegetable Exchange opened on K Street.

Lima bean crops were introduced in the eastern valleys.

Chula Vistan Emily Fenton Hunte, recalled that during the Depression, her father Henry G. Fenton, who had planted 3,000 acres of lima beans and barley on Rancho Janal, “would turn the fields over to the needy, once the harvest had been completed. There still were thousands of lima beans lying on the ground, and people would flock to the ranch by the hundreds to scoop them up into sacks to take home.”

Henry also grew tomatoes, declaring in 1937 that his were the best ever, “some as big around as a saucer!”

Chula Vistans have a history of reinventing themselves in tough times, as well as taking care of each other, and growing healthy local produce. As we celebrate this Centennial Year of Service, you can continue to take part in these traditions at our Farmer’s Markets’ on Mondays on Main St., Tuesdays at Otay Ranch Town Center and Thursdays at Center and Third Avenue downtown. And while you’re there, buy three sacks of lima beans and tomatoes and share two with your neighbors.

The 1940’s is our focus today, excerpted from the upcoming book that celebrates our history, Chula Vista Centennial: A Century of People and Progress.

The 1940s brought major changes to the city. Rohr Aircraft Corporation built a large plant on the bayfront to manufacture aircraft engine power units, just as the war in Europe was revving up and war defense housing was built at Hilltop Village and Vista Square and at several other areas.

The 1950’s were an exciting time of transition and development: Chula Vista had doubled in size following 63 annexations. New houses grew alongside lemon orchards.  One lemon orchard was sold to become the new City Hall.

Third Avenue in the 50s was finally complete. The last remaining lot became a Bank of America. The center of downtown was located on the corner of Third Avenue and F Street, marked to this day by a clock tower outside Security Trust and Savings Bank.

Do you remember Rohr's famous "Silver Dollar Payday?" Or the day President Eisenhower paid a visit to Chula Vista? Or when H Street dead-ended at what is now interstate 805? Relive those memories - and learn more about the people and events that shaped today's Chula Vista - during a lecture sponsored by the Friends of the Chula Vista Library at 6 p.m.Wednesday, July 20.

Dr. Steven Schoenherr will show photographs and talk about Chula Vista in the 1950s and '60s in a free presentation at the Civic Center Library auditorium. This is the third in a series of programs on Chula Vista history sponsored by the Friends in celebration of Chula Vista's 100th year. The January lecture focused on the period from 1888 to 1925, and the April presentation covered local events during the Great Depression and World War II.

Celebrating the city of Chula Vista’s Centennial year of 2011, the Chula Vista Heritage Museum will open at new photography exhibit documenting the southern California city’s 100-year history on Thursday, June 16 from 5p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Titled Glimpses of History: Celebrating 100 years of Chula Vista, historic photos will illustrate the city’s growth from its agricultural start as the Lemon Capital of the World to San Diego County’s second largest municipality.

In addition to vintage and memorable photography, opening night will feature five decades of music from the early 1900s, as well as hors d’evours and refreshments in the museums garden.

Online registration now open for third annual event — Unique experience to race alongside Olympians

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (April 25, 2011) - The United States Olympic Training Center – Chula Vista (CVOTC) opens its gates to the public for the third annual Chula Vista Community 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, May 21. Set in one of the most inspirational locations in San Diego County, this family-friendly 3.1-mile course offers participants the opportunity to run along-side Olympians through the exclusive Olympic Village.

Online registration is now open at www.chulavistaca.gov/goto/funrun. Register before May 7 to receive a free T-Shirt. Individual, Family, Team and Corporate entries are available to runners and walkers of all levels.

Celebrating one hundred years of architectural elegance, the Chula Vista Centennial Historic Home Tour takes place on Saturday, April 30. The tour begins at the Chula Vista Heritage Museum with a walk through five well-preserved homes. This year’s event is sponsored by McMillin Realty, which is providing trolley-style bus rides for guests from house to house.

The festivities begin the night before with a kick-off party on Friday, April 29 at the Spanish-style Maldonado Villa. This fundraising event will feature an art show and sale by Rosarito artist, David Silvah. A Flamenco dance show presented by Cuatro Caminos Arts and Flamenco will entertain guests in the Spanish villa’s courtyard. Romesco's Bistro will cater a specially prepared menu, and a 100th birthday cake will be served in honor of Chula Vista’s Centennial.