The private gathering is believed to have been held at the home of Ann and Robert Hamilton, at a cost of $1,000 per person. Organizers said about 500 people attended the event, which also gave people the opportunity to take a picture with her (in addition to having "private time" with her) for $10,000. In addition, the president's wife also took time to encourage Hollywood writers and producers to share stories about America's military families. 

``Be creative. Be funny. Be powerful,' she said at an event co-
sponsored by unions representing entertainment-industry producers, writers,
actors and directors. ``Move us. Move America to think differently about these
families that serve America so graciously.'

A $1,000-per-person dinner will be held tonight in Bel Air, according to
Wilshire and Washington, the political website of the entertainment trade
newspaper Daily Variety.
Obama plans to make additional California stops Tuesday in Oakland and
San Francisco before returning to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.