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Antonio Mendez will be lecture series speaker

STEUBENVILLE – Tri-State Area residents will have the opportunity to hear the real story that inspired the Academy Award-winning film “Argo” when Antonio Mendez speaks as part of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, Herald-Star Lecture Series.

Mendez, the former CIA agent who used a cover story involving a fake movie to orchestrate the January 1980 rescue of the six Americans who had taken refuge in the Canadian embassy in Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis, will offer a glimpse into his 25-year career at 7:30 p.m. on April 9 in the Steubenville High School auditorium.

Among the awards won by “Argo” Sunday night was best adapted screenplay, which went to Chris Terrio, who used a part from the Mendez book “Master of Disguise” and an article that appeared in Wired magazine to pen the script.

Mendez has offered a more detailed description of his role in the rescue in the book “Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History,” which was published shortly before the film was released in October.

Reserved tickets for the April 9 event cost $20, while general admission tickets cost $15. They can be purchased in person, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Herald-Star offices located at 401 Herald Square; by credit card by calling (740) 283-4711; or by visiting heraldstaronline.com and clicking on the “Lecture Series” button. A $2 service charge will be added to each online order.

A limited number of VIP tickets for the event are available by contacting the chamber of commerce at (740) 282-6226.

In addition, copies of the Mendez book “Argo” can be purchased from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Herald-Star offices.

The book sells for $26.95, plus tax, but area residents will be able to take advantage of a coupon good for $5 off the purchase price that will appear in the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.

Major sponsors of the appearance include the chamber, the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, Eastern Gateway Community College and the Franciscan University of Steubenville. Supporting sponsors include Bayberry House Bed and Breakfast, Apollo Pro Cleaning, Piergallini Catering, Newbrough Photo, D’Anniballe & Co., Thrifty Car Rental and Steubenville City Schools.

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