06/08/2026
We're moved in! But... we're not quite ready to open...
Thank you to everyone who attended our test run on May 31. We were thrilled to see the new space filled with so many familiar faces. We're getting closer to a reopening date (come on, AC repair!), but for now we're still sprucing up the space and planning ahead.
With the store closed, we've had a little more time for advocacy work. We've been supporting the efforts of incredible local coalitions, showing up for causes we care deeply about, and even collecting and harboring fugitive LGBTQ+ books for some badass retired librarians ahead of Pride Festival. 😉 (They gave away 200+ LGBTQ books thanks to y'all!)
A lot is happening locally right now, and if you'd like to get involved, here's how you can do it:
💰 Fresno Budget Hearings
The Mayor has proposed a new budget for the General Fund, and our friends at Fresnans for a People's Budget are encouraging community members to imagine something different.
Check out their interactive art exhibit and submit your own budget proposal to send to your City Council representative. What would Fresno look like if our values shaped our spending priorities instead of always defaulting to more money for police?
fresnans-for-a-people-s-budget-884346149911.us-east1.run.app (https://fresnans-for-a-people-s-budget-884346149911.us-east1.run.app/)
🏳🌈 Fresno County Board of Supervisors BS
While many of us were celebrating Pride, Supervisor Gary Bredefeld was preparing another attack on Fresno's LGBTQ+ community.
On June 16, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a proclamation declaring June "Nuclear Families Month." While the title may sound harmless, the text of the proclamation includes inflammatory claims suggesting that LGBTQ+ people are indoctrinating children and contributing to the decline of society.
The language in this document is appalling. It stigmatizes LGBTQ+ residents, spreads MORE misinformation, and has no place in official county business.
We encourage community members to submit public comments opposing this proclamation by contacting their district supervisor and the Board Clerk. If you're able to attend the June 16 meeting in person, please do. This will impact all of Fresno County, so Sanger, Reedley, Selma, Firebaugh, Kerman, we want y'all to speak up too!
As if that weren't enough, Bredefeld has also expressed interest in privatizing Fresno County libraries. Privatization threatens equitable access and increases the risk of censorship and book bans. These continued comments further vilify the librarians who work tirelessly to serve our communities and are already receiving death threats because of his previous BS. If you love libraries, you need to pay attention.
Follow Fresno Friends of the Library to learn how you can support Fresno County Library workers and push back against these efforts:
fresnofol.org (https://www.fresnofol.org/)
📢 Measure P EEAC Cycle 3
If you've been following us on Instagram, you've probably seen updates about the proposed guidelines for Measure P EEAC Cycle 3.
Since the City took over the granting process in January of this year, community members, artists, and organizations have participated in listening sessions, provided extensive feedback, and submitted recommendations based on their experiences with previous funding cycles. After reviewing more than 200 public comments, the Parks Department presented a final draft of the guidelines to PRAC on May 18th.
Despite this process, several organizations have continued to advocate for higher funding caps and restrictions on fiscal sponsorships—changes that would disproportionately impact smaller, grassroots organizations and make Measure P less accessible.
It's a frustrating contradiction, considering EEAC stands for Expanded Access to Arts and Culture.
The City Council will soon vote on whether to approve the guidelines as finalized by the Parks Department or make additional changes before Cycle 3 applications open.
We're encouraging folks to speak out for equity by contacting their City Council representatives and urging them to adopt the guidelines as presented.
Want to learn more? Join us today at 5:30 p.m. at St. Dulce (https://www.instagram.com/p/DYz6rSaMWDN/) to discuss the current proposals, or stop by on June 15 for a conversation about fiscal sponsorship and why it matters for expanding access to arts funding.
🛑 Stop SEDA
The fight against SEDA—the Mayor's urban sprawl pet project—isn't over.
At the end of 2025, the City Council postponed further discussion until July of this year. At the moment, only one City Council meeting has been scheduled for July, and it's unclear whether SEDA will appear on the agenda.
Follow on Instagram for updates, action alerts, and opportunities to speak out against a proposal that would accelerate urban sprawl and potentially jeopardize Fresno's long-term financial health.
You can also sign up to get involved here:
stopseda.org (https://stopseda.org/)
It's June, we're halfway through the year, and countless important issues are coming before our elected officials as new fiscal-year budgets take shape. We'll continue sharing information about the issues we care deeply about and have been educated on over on our social media pages.
At a Hops & Talks event earlier this year, Sebastian said something that really resonated with us: We might not be able to change what's happening in the whole world, but we sure as hell can change Fresno. So, speak out. Show up. Take care of one another and help build the city we want to see.
In the meantime, we'll keep unpacking boxes, waiting on that AC repair 🥵, and getting the bookstore ready to welcome you home.
We'll see you soon. 😉
In solidarity,
Carlos & Ashley
Judging by the Cover: A Bookstore
Click here for an update from Judging by the Cover: A Bookstore!
