March 18, 2010

Department of State to Celebrate ‘Passport Day in the USA’

(DOS) — On March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Department of State will celebrate its second annual “Passport Day in the USA.”

U.S. citizens throughout the country can apply for a passport at any of the 23 regional passport agencies without an appointment.

Many passport acceptance facilities around the country will also be hosting “Passport Day in the USA” events.

U.S. citizens can visit www. travel.state.gov to find a participating passport acceptance facility near them and the event details.

Information Center: (877) 487-2778.

Horton Launches Human Trafficking Initiative

(BOE) — California State Board of Equalization (BOE) Vice Chairman Jerome E. Horton announced the launch of his human trafficking initiative in California, which includes having investigators from all three state tax agencies trained to recognize and report signs of human trafficking.

This initiative was launched in response to a letter issued earlier this year by Horton to the directors of the three tax agencies: California’s State Board of Equalization (BOE), the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), and the Employment Development Department (EDD).

The public may report suspected trafficking crimes by calling (888) 428-7581. 

Several Metro Bus Lines to Experience Potential Delays

(Metro) — Bus patrons on several Metro Bus lines traveling through the Sepulveda Pass and in the vicinity of the 405 in West Los Angeles should anticipate delays and intermittent detours due to work for the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project, the 10-mile carpool lane project now under construction.

The following Metro Bus lines will be impacted intermittently by construction for the duration of construction. The bus lines are:

•           Lines 2-302: Sunset Boulevard.

•           Lines 4 and 704: Santa Monica Boulevard.

•           Lines 20, 720 and 920: Wilshire Boulevard.

•           Line 761: Sepulveda Boulevard and the 405 freeway.

These bus lines travel along the freeway and/or through the construction zone, and will be impacted by intermittent freeway ramp closures, reductions in lane widths along major corridors, sound wall construction and occasional freeway closures.

Construction locations and impacts on traffic will vary during the project. Patrons should plan to adjust their travel times.

Metro will provide advance notice of planned service delays and detours online at www.metro.net/I-405.

The public can also follow the latest construction activity via Twitter at www.twitter.com/I_405. 

The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.

‘Let’s Talk Port’ to Focus  on Security March 24

Port security will be discussed as part of the “Let’s Talk Port” series of community forums on March 24, 6:30 p.m., at El Dorado Park, with an evening focused on protection of the Port of Long Beach.

The event will take place at the El Dorado Park Senior Wing/Bridge Room, 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach. More information: www.polb.com/outreach, e-mail letstalkport@polb.com, (562) 590-4121.

Karen Bass Named as a Recipient of the Kennedy Profile in Courage Award

SACRAMENTO (Karen Bass’ Office) — The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation recently announced California Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) will be a recipient of the 2010 Profile in Courage Award.

Also receiving recognition are Bass’ fellow legislators Sen. President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Assembly member Mike Villines (R-Clovis), and Sen. Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) for “their humane approach to solving the California budget crisis,” the Foundation noted.

The prestigious award for political courage, announced by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, will be presented by Caroline Kennedy at a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on May 24.

Inglewood City Administrator Timothy Wanamaker Resigns

(City of Inglewood) — Inglewood city administrator Timothy Wanamaker announced on March 17 in a prepared statement his decision to step down from his position, effective at the close of business March 18.

“I have submitted my resignation to the mayor pro tempore and City Council as administrator for the city of Inglewood,” he stated. “I have enjoyed the tremendous challenge of working with the wonderful team of dedicated public servants and staff to improve the city’s infrastructure as well as its business and family environment for the wonderful people who live and work here. While I am proud of the progress the city has made during my nearly two years in this demanding role, many challenges remain ahead for the elected leaders as well as my future successor.”