Duarte Chronicles, a newly released book about Duarte, authored by Claudia Heller, has the city abuzz with anticipation for secret places revealed, and the stories of colorful characters, events, and history that have helped shape the community over the past 20 years.
To celebrate the new book the Duarte Historical Society will sponsor a book launching party Thursday, May 30 at the Old Spaghetti Factory, 1431 Buena Vista St., in Duarte. The event will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by entertainment by vocalist, Jeanette DePatie, and a visual presentation, book signing and sale. Tickets are $22, with dinner profits to benefit the Duarte Historical Society.
Author Claudia Heller and husband Alan Heller, who provided many of the photographs in the book, know the community well. Residents of more than 30 years, both have been active as leaders and participants in community life. Claudia is the longtime president of the Duarte Historical Society. Alan is president of Duarte Public Access (DCTV) and a former City commissioner. Claudia is also a veteran columnist for the Pasadena Star News, where she has been writing about Duarte life since 1991. Duarte Chronicles is a compilation of many of the stories that have appeared in her column.
Mayor Margaret Finlay, who wrote the foreward for Duarte Chronicles noted, “I know that once people live in Duarte they always consider it home. Whatever the reasons, you will find in the pages of this book a cast of characters as fascinating and eclectic as any heroes in our country’s history.”
Reservations for the book launch party are required by May 25. Checks should be made payable to the Duarte Historical Society, C/O Claudia Heller, P. O. Box 1251, Duarte, CA 91009.
Following the official book launch, copies of Duarte Chronicles will be available for purchase at Duarte City Hall with profits from those sales to benefit the Duarte Historical Society.
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