Gustavo Arellano to Visit Cypress Park Library Thursday

Award winning Chicano author Gustavo Arellano--whose work includes the nationally syndicated column ¡Ask a Mexican! and a book of the same name--will visit the on Thursday, June 7 to discuss his latest book, Taco U.S.A.

Arellano's column has a weekly circulation of over 2 million and in appears in 39 publications nationwide. Taco U.S.A. looks into how Mexican food rose to prominence in the United States.

Cypress Park Library staff member Art Meza told Patch that he persuaded Arellano to come to the area after he Tweeted a picture of a box filled with copies of Taco U.S.A.

"He tweeted 'What should I do with this box of my new book?' I replied 'donate one to Cypress Park,'" Meza said. "He said 'have me speak there and I will.'"

A native of Orange County, Arellano works as the editor the OC Weekly, an alternative newspaper. If you Google him, you'll also see that he was honored with the Los Angeles Press Club's 2007 President's Award.

Echo Park-Silver Lake editor Anthea Raymodwas president of the Los Angeles Press Club at that time. Arellano was her choice--an unusual one for an award usually reserved for the likes of Larry King, Linda Deutsch, Bill Rosendahl and Al Martinez.

Raymond likes to think that the recognition may have helped Arellno move from hilarious (and educational!) columnist to serious journalist status in the hierarchy. But she notes he was probably already on his way, with his first book just out.

In November 2007,  Raymond interviewed Arellano at the Los Angeles Press Club before a live audience. 

See a selection from that video here and another the above media gallery.

Meantime, don't miss Arellano Thursday at the Cypress Park Library at 1150 Cypress Avenue from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The event will also be streamed live at livestream.com/cypressparklibrary.