Here is information regarding the Obama transition and the Inauguration.
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
President-elect Barack Obama has launched the website www.change.gov, where one can find news about the transition and inauguration and information about his agenda. The site also has a place for people to share their ideas for government and their stories about the campaign.
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) has issued the following information regarding the availability of tickets for the 56th Presidential Inaugural Ceremony on January 20, 2009:
Tickets to the 56th Inaugural Ceremonies will be provided free of charge and distributed through Members of the 111th Congress. The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies does not provide tickets to the public. Members of the public interested in attending the Inaugural Ceremonies should contact their Member of Congress or U.S. Senators to request tickets.
The public should also be aware that no website or other ticket outlet actually has inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim. Tickets will not be distributed to Congressional offices until the week before the inauguration and will require in-person pick-up.
"Any website or ticket broker claiming that they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth," said Howard Gantman, Staff Director for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. "Tickets for the swearing-in of President-elect are all provided through members of Congress, and the President-elect and Vice President-elect through the Presidential Inaugural Committee. We urge the public to view any offers of tickets for sale with great skepticism."
For those of you in California, here is the Inauguration information released by Diane Feinstein:
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=6d7ffecb-a6be-e0d3-99ed-704117fdcc28
http://inaugural.senate.gov/
AIRLINE/HOTEL RESERVATIONS
I am told that hotels are almost sold out in Washington, D.C. Many hotels that are available have increased their prices by up to 50% and are requiring a 4 day minimum reservation. Airline flights are limited. We urge you to make your plans soon - even before you have secured inauguration tickets.
If you're not in DC and plan on coming, it is best to get your hotel room ASAP. If you can't get something downtown, try to get a hotel that is in Maryland or Virginia but is within walking distance to the Metro . A map is here:
http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/systemmap.cfm
Worst case scenario, reserve a room in downtown Baltimore (it is about a 45 minute train ride to DC).
There is an organization that is working to secure transportation for people from different states to Washington D.C. Please see this site for information http://www.obamainauguration2009.com/
Good luck
