Entry bubble A Night of Music and Celebration

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Cantigas singing at Inaugural Ball at the Organization of American StatesLast night my colleague Laura Godfrey, a Bilingual Web Content Manager for GobiernoUSA.gov, attended the Latino Inaugural Ball. Here's her report...

The Organization of American States (OAS) is used to opening the doors of its magnificent building to dignitaries and celebrities. But last night was a first. The OAS hosted The 2009 Latino Inaugural Celebration to honor grass roots organizations that worked tirelessly to encourage Hispanics to exercise their civil right to vote. And vote they did, 10 million of them. For me, last night was also a first, I was there for two very important reasons: to sing with Cantigas, my choir, during the opening reception; and to cover the event for GobiernoUSA/USA.gov. It was also the first Presidential Inaugural Gala I attended in my life. What a rush!

I didn’t have to brave the cold weather, or long lines at the Metro, instead, several members of Cantigas carpooled and got to park at the OAS. That was a definite plus.  Inside, as people arrived I could see the excitement and the celebratory spirit of the group as I scrambled to take some pictures before we went on stage. After the opening reception around the majestic fountain of the lobby we were moved upstairs for speeches and entertainment. The MCs were Univision anchor and host of “Aquí y Ahora” Teresa Rodriguez, and radio El Zol host of “Pedro Biaggi en la mañana” Pedro Blaggi. Don Francisco and Gerardo Rivera were also on hand to talk to attendees and pose for pictures, but did not deliver any speeches.

Henry Cisneros, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton, was loudly cheered and applauded when he took the stage. He was there to thank the work of so many volunteers that delivered the record number of Hispanic votes. The crowd chanted: Sí, podemos and Sí al cambio (Yes, we can; and Yes to change).

As the event went on, I had one recurring thought: Unity. A short but very powerful word. What an amazing feeling to see people from so many different countries and backgrounds (not all were Hispanics) come together for a common purpose.

But the account of the evening would not be complete without some very important facts. The official drink of the Gala was “PiscObama” (derived from the famous Peruvian drink Pisco Sour). A young Obama made an appearance and I took a picture with him (well, he is not really Obama, but take a look). And yes, my feet hurt to the point of numbness.  But was it worth it? You bet!!!

I've posted my video of the event on YouTube.

Barack Obama look alike with Laura and a friend at the Organization of American States Inaugural Ball

| View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: american   biden   cantigas   inaugural   joanne   laura   oas   obama   organization   president   states  

 

Entry bubble Inauguration Day

By: Joanne | January 20, 2009 | Category: General

Jill Biden, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Michelle ObamaToday, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will be sworn-in as President and Vice President of the United States. You can watch the Swearing-In ceremony live online beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern.

In the evening, there will be the first-ever Neighborhood Ball, a nationwide celebration -- and you don't have to be in the nation's capital to join in the festivities.

ABC will broadcast the Washington, D.C. Neighborhood Ball beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST, and people at Neighborhood Balls across the country will be sending in photos and videos of their celebrations. Some may even be featured in the official Inaugural book.

You are encouraged to share your own photos and stories.

You can also text OBAMA to 56333 for instructions on how to send in messages and pictures from your mobile phone.

I think it's going to be an interesting day!  What are your plans?

| View Comments [26] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: barack   biden   inauguration   joanne   joe   obama   president   vice  

 

Entry bubble Presidential Transition and Inauguration

By: Jake | November 10, 2008 | Category: General

Washington Swearing in

The U.S. Presidential Transition is under way as the federal government gets ready for President-Elect Barack Obama's move into the White House on January 20.

GSA handed over the presidential transition office near the Verizon Center to Obama's transition staff last week. Obama will start choosing his Cabinet, and his staff will start meeting with government leaders to learn about current programs. For progress on Obama's presidential transition like Cabinet appointments you can go to his Change.gov website. Obama has a blog there, as well as a place where you can apply for non-career jobs in his administration (see Nancy's post about career jobs).

While Obama gets ready to take office, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies prepares for his inauguration. The inauguration will be Tuesday, January 20th, just by chance the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but fitting nonetheless.

There's no hotter ticket in town than one for Obama's inauguration. To get a ticket you have to contact your Senator or Representative of the 111th Congress. Realize though the 110th Congress will be in session until early January, so if your current Representative or Senator is leaving office after this current term, you will have to contact your newly-elected member. Tickets will be handed out the week before inauguration and have to be picked up in person. Tickets are free, so beware, anyone who claims to have tickets for sale is probably trying to scam you.

If you can't get a ticket, you should still be able to "be there" by going to the National Mall on Inauguration Day. There will also be other events, like the parade, that you can attend. We here at Gov Gab have been kicking around the idea of live blogging on Inauguration Day. Please let us know in the comments what you would be interested in reading about on Inauguration Day.

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