Dear Friends of Open Government and the First Amendment,

CalAware President Donna Frye has arranged our first fundraiser in 11 years on October 27, and we really hope to see you there.

“Open Government under a Full Moon” is also a fun-raiser.

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Although set in the Neil Morgan Auditorium of the San Diego Central Library, (330 Park Blvd.), no one will say “Shhh!”

Instead we’ll welcome you to a reception catered by The French Gourmet from 5:30 to 6:30, with jazz starting at 7, featuring pianist Ben Sidran and his combo. Early bird ticket price is $100; after October 15 it’s $125.  Get more information and purchase tickets here.

As you probably know, CalAware is critically dependent on tax-deductible contributions from people who value what we’re doing.  Other than support for publishing our CalAware Guides and conducting public records compliance audits like the most recent one, we receive no grants from either public or private sources or subsidies from wealthy angels. Apart from book sales, our only steady source of income is from individuals and organizations who feel our work is worth sustaining.

That work includes going to court more than anyone else to correct violations of the Brown Act and force release of significant information under the Public Records Act, while supporting open government and free speech and press bills in the California legislature—and opposing bad ones—as well as answering hundreds of calls and emails every year from journalists, concerned citizens and even inquiring public officials who want to understand and effectively use the sunshine laws.

So Donna and I hope to see you on October 27, but if you can’t make it, you can contribute to CalAware here or send a check to Californians Aware at 2218 Homewood Way, Carmichael, CA 95608.

Cordially,

Terry Francke