Those of us who write books and are lucky enough to have them published have another birthday to celebrate every year. It was a year ago today that Latinos in Pasadena went on the market. I remember that I felt rather giggly and happy that the book would be "in a store" near you. What teenager who loves to write doesn't have that sort of dream. To have it come true, well, it is like cold, sweet fruit on a really hot day.

A year later I still hear folks sharing - "Who knew?!" "I remember that!" "You know you left out...(he/she, they/it) was vitally important because..." All welcomed comments and all true. How in the world could anyone write a history that is not well known and that covers multiple centuries and a lot of miles and not leave out people or places?

How did I choose images of individuals and organizations for the book? First, they had to be active and involved in the Latino community. Second, I was looking to highlight those who were less well known. Third, and most importantly, was the need to have easy access to a photo.

I thought of the book as a visual history, similar to what is done with oral histories. There are two choices for oral histories - one goes for depth the other for breadth. The former delves into more detail of someone who is well known and documented. The other focuses on individuals whose experiences are not really well known. I went for the latter.

Mr. Hernandez, pictured above, won't be found in bountiful news paper clippings but you can bet that everyone who waited for him to bring hot tamales knew who he was and valued his being a part of the city.

Thanks Arcadia Publishing and all of you who have supported the book in any and all ways. It has been quite a year.