Join the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Reading Ray Bradbury's Classic Book ''Farenheit 451'';...

Business/Lifestyle Editors

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 29, 2002

Los Angeles based specialty coffee and tea retailer The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf(R) will collaborate with Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn on the "One Book, One City L.A." reading initiative. Throughout the

month of April all Los Angeles Coffee Bean stores will promote the citywide reading program, and select stores will host book discussions for the program. `One Book, One City L.A.' encourages all residents in the City of Los Angeles to join together and read the powerful novel "Fahrenheit 451" from local author Ray Bradbury.

Discussions on "Fahrenheit 451" will be lead by trained LA City Library Docents at participating Coffee Bean stores throughout the city. Book discussion participants will receive brewed coffee, light snacks, and information packs on arrival. The schedule of events is as follows:

Monday, April 15th at 6:30pm - 7502 Melrose Ave

Tuesday, April 16th at 6:30pm -10401 Santa Monica Blvd at Beverly Glen

Wednesday, April 17th at 6:30pm - 10897 Pico Blvd at Midvale

Thursday, April 18th at 6:30pm - 18705 Devonshire St, Northridge

Friday, April 19th at 6:30pm - Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd

Saturday, April 20th at 1:30pm - 2081 Hillhurst Ave, Los Feliz

Sunday, April 21st at 1:30pm - 19732 Ventura Blvd at Corbin,
Woodland Hills

"We are delighted to participate in Mayor Hahn's `One Book, One City L.A.' showcasing our city's rich cultural and literary heritage," said Sunny Sassoon CEO The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. "Mayor Hahn has developed a powerful and stimulating program and we are pleased our customers, team members, and stores have been invited to take part and read 'Fahrenheit 451'."

"Our city is home to some of the best literary authors and most diverse communities in the United States," said Mayor Hahn. "`One Book, One City L.A.' will highlight some of Los Angeles's greatest cultural treasures - author Ray Bradbury and our great neighborhoods. My goal is for people to become more acquainted with their neighbors by participating in book discussions at our libraries, in coffee houses, on buses and on street corners."

Additionally, throughout the month of April, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will sponsor several "One Book, One City L.A." events including a "town hall"-style book discussion at the El Portal Theater to be broadcast live on KPCC 89.3FM on April 8th, and an event at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books both featuring Bradbury.

"'Fahrenheit 451' celebrates the freedom of speech, the value of imagination, and the power of the individual," said Mayor Hahn. "We value Bradbury as a Los Angles icon."

"I am honored that Mayor Hahn selected 'Fahrenheit 451' as the book in the City's first `One Book, One City L.A.' reading program," said Ray Bradbury. "I wrote most of my works in this wonderful city and am delighted that the Mayor chose my book to help promote the city and encouraging Los Angeles residents to discuss its central themes."

Additional events in April surrounding "One Book, One City L.A." include book discussions at the Los Angeles Public Library Central Library and select branches citywide. The library has copies of the book available in English and Spanish. Many Los Angeles Unified School District students are participating by attending study groups, serving on discussion panels, and reading the book in their individual classes.

Founded in 1963, in Los Angeles, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is the oldest and largest privately held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the U.S. With a reputation for excellence, the company is a leader in product innovations, having developed the Original Ice Blended(R). The company serves over 30 million coffee and tea beverages annually worldwide. Providing the highest quality coffees and teas for nearly forty years, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf currently has over 180 company owned stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, Brunei, Indonesia, UAE, and Israel and continues to expand both domestically and internationally. For further information visit www.coffeebean.com.

For information on reading discussions and "One Book, One City LA." activities in local communities, visit the Los Angeles Public Library Web site at www.lapl.org/F451.