The Mackinac Center is hosting a series of community events aimed at raising awareness of common problems encountered by those who attempt to request government records and provide information to those who want a better understanding of how the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act work. Our state has valuable tools for holding public servants accountable but those tools are useless if people don't know about them or don't know how to use them.

Tony Conley, host of "The Tony Conley Show" on Lansing's WILS AM1320, will be moderating this event.

The panelists will be:

• Mike Steinberg, Legal Director, ACLU
  
• Robin Luce-Herrmann, General Counsel, Michigan Press Association
  
• Patrick Wright, Director, Mackinac Center Legal Foundation
  
• John Bebow, President, The Center for Michigan/Bridge Magazine

The event will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Baker College of Jackson, 2800 Springport Road, Jackson, Mich. 49202

If you cannot make it to Baker College next Thursday, mark your calendar for one of three other options. The calendar at the bottom has these dates set as well.

• July 24 in Grand Rapids
  
• Aug. 1 in Traverse City
  
• Aug. 7 in Troy