First of two parts.

Jim Clarke was reflecting this morning on a recent outing to Simi Valley.

“I was visiting the Reagan Library,” he said, “and there was a sign on his desk. It read ‘Anything can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.’”

On the eve of the spectacular opening tomorrow morning of 99-year-old Culver City’s Centennial Year, Mr. Clarke, the modest mayor, has essayed a monumental accomplishment.

Three years ago, when Harry Culver’s favorite community was approaching its mostly unnoticed 96th birthday, always-promotion-minded City Councilman Jim Clarke realized Culver City’s scarcely mentioned Centennial Year was beckoning in the shadowy distance.

Mr. Clarke, more than anyone else, has tirelessly promoted Culver City’s Centennial Year before it was on the radar of 99 percent of residents.

Tomorrow is Opening Day, starting with the 9 a.m. parade.

How does the Father of the Centennial feel?

Is he excited about anticipating the dawn of Saturday’s day-long jubilation?

His slightly cracking voice almost betrayed the excitement building in Mayor Clarke in the week he turned 68 years old.

“I am glad that the time is going to be here,” he said. “I will tell you that a lot of things go through one’s mind,” and Mr. Clarke sniffled a little.

Routinely articulate, there was hesitation and there were pauses. He said that “lots of things are going through my mind.”

(To be continued)