Ray Bradbury stars in 'Big Read'

Renowned author Ray Bradbury will make a special appearance at Western University of Health Sciences on Friday, Oct. 8, 2010 as part of Pomona’s “”Fahrenheit 451″” Big Read.

Ray Bradbury and Sam Weller, his authorized biographer, will appear at WesternU’s Health Education Center, 701 E. Second St., Pomona, Calif., from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8 to discuss “”The Bradbury Chronicles”” and the newly released “”Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews.””

“”An Evening with Ray Bradbury and Sam Weller”” will feature an interactive program with the two men, and is a rare opportunity to meet one of America’s most celebrated authors. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., with a book signing following the program.

Bradbury’s “”Fahrenheit 451″” and Weller’s “”The Bradbury Chronicles”” and “”Listen to the Echoes: The Ray Bradbury Interviews”” will be available for purchase at the event. Signing will be limited to books purchased at the event. No outside materials will be signed.

This event, which is open to the public, serves as the kick-off for Pomona’s “”Fahrenheit 451″” Big Read. Everyone in the community is invited to read the novel “”Fahrenheit 451″” and share in the numerous discussions, film screenings, art exhibits and other events scheduled throughout October and November. Event details and updates are available on the Pomona Public Library web page (www.pomonalibrary.org) and here, or call the Pomona Public Library at 909-620-2043.

The goal of the Big Read is to restore reading to the center of American culture and highlight the importance of literature in daily life. The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, aims to directly address the decline of reading for pleasure by providing citizens with an opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their community. WesternU joins the city of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona, the Pomona Unified School District and communities across the nation in this celebration of literature.

WesternU’s Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Library, 287 E. Third St., Pomona, will feature a special display of controversial medical books and some consumer health books that have been banned, as well as “”Fahrenheit 451″” and other fiction. The “”Banned Books Display”” will remind students and visitors not to take freedom for granted. The display runs Sept. 25 to Oct. 31, 2010.