San Clemente (Images of America) - Tapa blanda

San Clemente is about to become the latest icon in a series of picture books showcasing communities across the United States.

Arcadia Publishing, a South Carolina firm that specializes in publishing local histories, will release the 127-page book May 17. Retailing at $21.99, it will be available at stores and online services or from the San Clemente Historical Society. It becomes one of some 4,500 titles in Arcadia s Images of America series, the company said.

The book, with 190 historical photos, is a collaboration between local author Jennifer Garey and the historical society, which opened its photo archives to the project. The book tells the story of San Clemente through captioned pictures, starting with Ole Hanson s dream in 1925 of creating a Spanish village by the sea.

Garey is the owner of Arts & Antiquities Inc., a museum consulting company based in San Clemente. She previously wrote a picture book for Arcadia Publishing about the San Diego Naval Training Center.

Garey, an eight-year resident of San Clemente, said she realized Arcadia had published books about Laguna Beach and Orange County but not San Clemente.

We have such a great story, she said.

Garey approached the historical society about collaborating. Maryann Comes, the historical society s president, said the group was delighted, having long wanted to publish its archives.

We didn t have the expertise, Comes said. She had it down pat.

As Garey did her research, the historical society assembled photos, and longtime residents such as Bill Ayer, Lois Divel and Liz Hanson Kuhns came forward with more photos.

We dedicated the book to the people of San Clemente, Comes said. We re excited about it.

Garey will appear from 4 to 8 p.m. May 24 at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens to discuss the book at a Meet the Authors event. Her keynote talk will be at 6 p.m., according to the Casa, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. Garey and other authors will sign and sell books at the event.

For information on obtaining the book from the historical society, call Comes at 949-498-0116.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Casa Romantica says these speakers are slated to appear there May 24 to talk about the following books:

Jennifer Garey, Images of America: San Clemente

Roberto Diaz, children s books on surfing and skateboarding

Lisa Merryman, The True Adventures of Holy Smoke and Casa Romantica: A Spanish Home by the Sea

Lisa Spinelli, From Fishcarts to Fiestas

Sandra Marquez, Sallie and the Spirit of San Clemente

Wayne Eggleston, San Clemente: The Spanish Village by the Sea "