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News and Features
July 26-August 1, 2006

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The 2006 User's Guide to Silicon Valley:
Open Minds | Open Doors | Open Government | Open Space | Open Market | Open Source | Open All Night |


Visit Your Local Library Today

Visit Your Local Library Today: They're not just for free movies anymore!

Open Government

Forget writing your congressman—these are resources that really matter


Bay Area Alliance for Sustainable Communities 415.352.3648. The Bay Area Alliance uses the Three E's of sustainability—a prosperous economy, quality environment and social equity—to support the region's growth and coinciding challenges.
California Center for Regional Leadership 200 Pine St #400, San Francisco. 415.445.8975. The CCRL is a statewide agency established to support Collaborative Regional Initiatives (CRIs) in California. It is focused on regional strategies for solving economic, environmental and social problems.
California Common Cause 1005 12th St #C, Sacramento. 916.443.1792. Common Cause's goal is to make government officials and institutions accountable and responsive to the public. Areas of action also include redistricting, clean money and media reform.
California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) 534 Fourth St #B, San Rafael. 415.460.5060. The CFAC is a member-based group committed to promoting free speech and open government rights. The CFAC legal hotline gives individual advice from media lawyers to over 80 people each month.
California Public Interest Research Group (CALPRIG) 369 Broadway #200 , San Francisco. 415.622.0039. CALPRIG conducts investigations, advocates new laws and monitors governmental and corporate action in the public's defense. Initiatives include higher education, affordable energy and budget and tax reform.
Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) 10951 W. Pico Blvd #120, Los Angeles. 310.470.6590. A nonprofit organization that developed the California Governance Project to address state problems like redistricting, term limits and ballot initiatives.
Community Foundation of Silicon Valley 60 S. Market St #1000, San Jose. 408.278.2200. Provides cash grants and resources to community organizations in areas such as organizational effectiveness and neighborhood quality. Goals include increased civic engagement, inclusiveness and generosity.
Customer Service Online www.sanjoseca.gov. Online resource lets you request a service, ask a question, report a problem and access your utility account.
Pacific Research Institute (PRI) 755 Sansome St #450, San Francisco. 415.989.0833. PRI promotes education about public policy so personal freedom and responsibility can be attained. Policy reform goals are in areas like limiting government technology regulation and access to quality education.
Santa Clara County Cities Association (SCCCA) 505 W. Olive Ave #749, Sunnyvale . 408.730.7770. The SCCCA is made up of a delegate from each of Santa Clara County's 15 city councils. In monthly meetings, members research and share information about their city and monitor state and federal issues.
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) 224 Airport Pkwy #620, San Jose. 408.501.7864. The SVLG has 200 member companies that work with all levels of government to address policy issues that affect Silicon Valley.
Sunshine Reform Task Force Contact Nadine Carranza 408.535.8114. A task force designed to advise San Jose City Council on how to increase public access to information, create a more accountable, accessible government and encourage neighborhood participation.

Emergency Services

The Emergency Assistance Network (EAN) (group of agencies allocate emergency funding)
First Call for Help (emergency services referrals) 408.248.4636.

Libraries

Almaden Branch Library 6445 Almaden Ave, San Jose. 408.808.3040
Alviso Branch Library 5050 N. First St, San Jose. 408.263.3626.
Berryessa Branch Library 3355 Noble Ave, San Jose. 408.808.3050.
Bibliote Latinoamerina Branch Library 921 South First St, San Jose. 408.294.1237.
Calabazas Branch Library 1230 Blaney Ave, San Jose. 408.996.1536.
Campbell Library 77 Harrison Ave, Campbell. 408.866.1991.
Central Park Library 2635 Homestead Rd, Santa Clara. 408.615.2900.
Cupertino Library 10800 Torre Avenue, Cupertino. 408.446.1677.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library 150 E. San Fernando St, San Jose. 408.808.2000.
Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Branch Library 3090 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose. 408.808.3090.
East San Jose Carnegie Branch Library 1102 E. Santa Clara St, San Jose. 408.998.2069.
Educational Park Branch Library 1770 Educational Park Dr, San Jose. 408.272.3663.
Hillview Branch Library 2255 Ola Ave, San Jose. 408.272.3102.
Los Altos Library 13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos. 650.948.7683.
Los Gatos Public Library 110 E. Main St, Los Gatos. 408.354.6891.
Milpitas Library 40 N. Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas. 408.262.1171.
Mission Library Family Reading Center 1098 Lexington St, Santa Clara. 408.615.2964.
Morgan Hill Library 17575 Peak Ave, Morgan Hill. 408.779.3196.
Mountain View Public Library 585 Franklin St, Mountain View. 650.903.6337
Palo Alto City Library 1213 Newell Rd, Palo Alto. 650.329.2436.
Rose Garden Branch Library 1580 Naglee Ave, San Jose. 408.808.3070.
Santa Clara County Law Library 360 N. First St, San Jose. 408.321.2300.
Santa Teresa Branch Library 290 International Circle, San Jose. 408.281.1879.
Saratoga Library 13650 Saratoga Ave, Saratoga. 408.867.6126.
Seventrees Branch Library 3597 Cas Dr, San Jose. 408.629.4536.
Sunnyvale Public Library 665 West Olive Ave, Sunnyvale. 408.730.7300.
Tully Community Branch Library 880 Tully Rd, San Jose. 408.808.3030.
Vineland Branch Library 1450 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose. 408.808.3000.
West Valley Branch Library 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd, San Jose. 408.244.4766.
Willow Glen Branch Library 1157 Minnesota Ave, San Jose. 408.998.2022.
Woodland Branch Library 1975 Grant Rd, Los Altos. 650.969.6030.


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