Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451” and “The Martian Chronicles,” marks his 89th birthday with friends at Clifton’s Cafeteria. His birthday was actually on Aug. 22. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Bradbury belonged to the Science Fiction Society, whose members met in the 1930s at Clifton’s Cafeteria on Broadway in downtown L.A. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
As a young writer, Bradbury would go to Clifton’s Cafeteria for free meals. A policy said that anyone who couldn’t afford to pay didn’t have to. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Robert Clinton, one of the owners of Clifton’s, presents Bradbury a birthday cake. The sci-fi writer also got a cafeteria tray as a gift. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Bradbury selects a salad in the cafeteria line before his lunch party begins. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Bradbury hopes to see Clifton’s -- and the rest of Broadway -- thriving again. “I want to rebuild all of Broadway. That’s why I’m here today,” he said. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
Bradbury and his friend, Craig Graham. The Science Fiction Society’s anniversary is coming up on Oct. 15. Decades ago, the club had an impressive membership that included Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and filmmaker Ray Harryhausen. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)
