JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers DECORATED AUTHOR—American author Ray Bradbury, who has written numerous books and stories including "Fahrenheit 451," shows off a medal he received from the government of France acknowledging him as a "Commander of Arts & Letters" during his lecture and book signing at the Simi Valley Library on Feb. 1. Almost 200 Bradbury fans showed up to hear him speak in Simi for the first time. Acclaimed American author Ray Bradbury discussed his life and loves during a lecture and book signing at the Simi Valley Library on Feb. 1.

The event, presented by the Simi Valley Public Library Foundation, attracted close to 200 people, including a family of four that traveled all the way from Fresno to hear Bradbury speak.

"We were hoping from the beginning that this event would have a great turnout," said Linda L. Bankard, president of the library foundation.

"Mr. Bradbury is a national treasure," she said. "This was (the foundation's) first event like this, and it was a real eye-opener."

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers LONG-AWAITED REUNION—Simi resident Carol Perkins shows a scrapbook page that contains a news clipping from a Ray Bradbury lecture she attended at Chatsworth High School in 1969. Bradbury's autograph is on the adjoining page. The opportunity for the author of the 1953 classic "Fahrenheit 451" to visit Simi Valley presented itself at a chance meeting between Bankard and a personal acquaintance of Bradbury.

Bankard asked that her business card, along with an invitation to speak at a foundation fundraiser, be given to the author. Soon after, Bradbury accepted.

"He is a very gracious, kind and caring man who gives of his personal time very generously," Bankard said.

The 88yearold author's mobility may have decreased, but, he told the audience, his mind remains as sharp as a tack, and his zeal for living is as intense as ever.

"I remember my total life, you see," Bradbury said. "No wonder I write stories that are good. I totally remember and love every minute of my life. . . . I'm so glad to be alive."

Libraries will always hold a special place in his heart, he said, making it only natural that he visits them wherever and whenever he can.

"Fahrenheit 451" was inspired by his love of books, he said.

"I was a library person. I started going to the library when I was 7 years old. I took out 10 books at a time. The library to me was my home. It was more important than the home I lived in. The library is where I lived."

Bradbury shared stories, rich with emotion and enthusiasm, about his encounters with John Huston, Norman Corwin, Federico Fellini, Aldous Huxley and Gene Kelly. He reminisced about falling in love with dinosaurs at age 6 and the planet Mars at age 12.

"Find the secret things that you really love and begin to do them," Bradbury said. "Everything is in the heart. You can't think your way to success—you feel your way. Your ganglion is your real brain. This is where my heart is located. If I can teach that to you, I've taught you everything."

The Illinois native discussed his love of weird tales and his love for a young girl. He explained how his first kiss, at age 26, was "the biggest smooch in history" and how it left him so disoriented that he got on the wrong streetcar and went the wrong way on his journey home.

"Love is everything," he said.

Love was a constant theme of Bradbury's 45-minute talk.

"You see before you the world's greatest lover," he joked.

During his presentation, Bradbury displayed not only his famous gift for storytelling but also his talents as an inspirational speaker.

"I give you instructions tonight when you're ready to go to bed," he said. "Make a list of the people who don't believe in you. Tomorrow morning when you get up, call them and say, 'You're fired.' And Ray Bradbury told you to fire them. They don't believe in you. I believe in you. And I can help you become yourself."

Laughter filled the room as fans young and old devoured every word spoken by the living legend.

"It was fascinating that the focus of his whole talk was: Do what you love," said Jan Jackson, a Simi Valley resident. "I spent the first five minutes in joyful tears. It was so moving right from the beginning."

Kathy Byers, another attendee from Simi Valley, also felt moved after listening to Bradbury speak.

"I'm so glad that I came to this," Byers said. "What an extraordinary human being he is. He put me as a person in the audience in touch with my life. It wasn't about his work. It really was about the people in the audience and how to live their life."

The event was a huge success, Bankard said.

"Folks had an opportunity to see and hear the master himself; we were able to showcase our wonderful Simi Valley Library; many people had a chance to explore The Simi Valley Friends of the Library fabulous bookstore; and many people learned about the Simi Valley Public Library Foundation for the first time.

"Our mission is to support the Simi Valley Library," Bankard added, "and I believe that this event was a huge first step in that direction."

As he neared the end of his talk, Bradbury offered some parting wisdom.

"I want you to burst with enthusiasm for love," he said. "You have a hundred years of life ahead of you. Be yourself."