First Annual Neighborhood Barbeque a Success


More than 250 Duarte residents turned out on a sunny Saturday afternoon, April 4, to attend the first annual Neighborhood Barbeque hosted by the City of Duarte at Otis Gordon Park.

Families enjoyed free hot dogs grilled by the Marvell West nonprofit corporation, and provided by Joe’s Place. Volunteer DJ Ben a graduate of Duarte’s Youthworks program set a fun loving atmosphere, while children were entertained with games and face painting by youth volunteer group Duarte Area Resource Team (D.A.R.T.).

It was also an opportunity for residents to learn about services available to the community. Representatives were on hand from Foothill Unity Center, Foothill Family Services, Santa Anita Family Santa Anita Family YMCA, Cal Am Water, Southern California Edison, and Burrtec Waste, which showed off one of its new clean air vehicle trash trucks powered by compressed natural gas. The Foothill Workforce Investment Board Mobile Training Unit came out to assist residents with employment services, while Deputy City Manager Karen Herrera and members of Duarte’s Promise: The Alliance for Youth surveyed residents on public safety issues. Public Safety Director, Brian Villalobos, whose department coordinated the event, thanked sponsors and participating organizations for helping to make the event a great success.