Hahn to Open S.P. Campaign Office Thursday

Rep. Janice Hahn is opening a campaign office in downtown San Pedro Thursday. The May 3 event takes place from 6 to 8 pm in conjunction with the monthly First Thursday artwalk and street festival. The office is located at 447 W. Sixth St. View the event details here.

Hahn and Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) are competing for the new 44th Congressional District seat. The primary election is June 5.

Richardson’s campaign is headquartered in Carson and online at www.laurarichardson.us.

Candidates Interview for Newspaper Endorsement

Hahn and Richardson interviewed with the editorial board of the San Fernando Valley-based LA Daily News, the flagship newspaper in the chain that includes the Daily Breeze.

Each made her case for endorsement, and, by extension, election to the newly drawn 44th Congressional District.

The candidates’ arguments are summarized in “Rep. Janice Hahn is all about the ports” and “Rep. Laura Richardson: ‘I am this district.’”

The Daily News has not yet made its endorsement for the June 5 election.

UPDATE -- May 4 -- The Daily News endorses Hahn.

Happy Birthday, Janice Hahn

Friday, March 30 is Rep. Janice Hahn’s birthday. Sign our e-card to wish her a happy birthday by writing here in the comments.

As for gifts, when you have the privilege of public service in this glorious building, what more do you need?

Hahn Small Business Workshop Friday

Rep. Janice Hahn is hosting “Surviving and Thriving in the Economic Recovery: Accessing Capital for the Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner” Friday. The free workshop is taking place on Feb. 24 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Toyota Meeting Room, 3330 Civic Center Dr., from 8:30 am to 12 pm.

The workshop will feature presenters from the Small Business Administration (SBA), local business lenders and business service providers.

Local participants include the Port of Los Angeles.  Port contract and purchasing officials will be on hand to share information about current and upcoming port procurement, construction and professional service contract opportunities.

Here is the workshop agenda. RSVPs are required to HahnRSVP@mail.house.gov or (310) 831-1799.

‘Congress on Your Corner’ Notes: SP Video, Live in Wilmington Saturday

Here’s a video of Hahn’s “Congress on Your Corner” event in San Pedro last month.

The congresswoman will visit the corner of Avalon Boulevard and East Opp Street in Wilmington Saturday for another such gathering. Constituents are invited to meet and talk with Hahn on Feb. 25 from 10 to 11:30 am.

Buscaino Community Swearing-in Saturday

Newly minted Harbor Area Councilman Joe Buscaino is holding a community swearing-in ceremony Saturday.

The Feb. 25 proceedings begin with a 10 am prayer service in Watts, followed by a 2 pm community ceremony at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

Details and RSVP information are here.

White House Asks: What Makes Your Hometown a Great Place to Visit?

San Pedro civic boosters, take note.

The White House this morning asked Americans to brag about their hometowns. It’s part of President Obama’s new push to boost foreign tourism, unveiled this afternoon in a speech at Disney World. (WH blog post | Speech)

The specific question the White House posed is, “what makes your city or town a great place to visit?”

Here’s how to reply:

• Via the White House web form
• On Twitter using #visitUS
• Here at San Pedro News. Reply in the comments and email a photo for possible posting. (Submit to our email address at right).

Hahn to Hold ‘Congress on Your Corner’ Saturday

Rep. Janice Hahn will hold open-air office hours Saturday in coastal San Pedro.

The “Congress on Your Corner” session will take place on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Ace Hardware at 25th Street and Western Avenue (2515 S. Western Ave.)

Constituents are encouraged to voice their concerns to the congresswoman and advise on matters of federal policy.

For more information, call (310) 831-1799 or email michael.aguilera@mail.house.gov.

Holidays, Unwrapped

After another showdown, Congress passed the payroll tax bill on Dec. 22 and adjourned until mid-January. Legislators returned to their districts and the president jetted to Hawaii.

Flipping through the holiday news files, we bring you these snapshots of DC:

Capitol Christmas Tree © Office of the Architect of the Capitol

Here is a photo gallery of DC all dressed up for the holidays.

President Obama goes shopping with the masses -- With his family already in Hawaii, the president and First Dog Bo went shopping at Best Buy, PetSmart and a suburban pizzeria. Photo gallery.  Story with raw, play-by-play video footage.

Hahn District Office Opening Thursday

Hahn is opening a district office at 140 W. Sixth St. in downtown San Pedro on Jan. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during the First Thursday event. View the announcement or call  (310) 831-1799 for more information and to RSVP.

For regular updates, subscribe to Hahn’s newsletter and follow the congresswoman on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Holidays

We’ll return to political news next week. Right now, the most important government agency is NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and its critical Santa-tracking mission. 

From the Washington Post:

According to the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site, radar gives NORAD the first indication that Santa has taken off from the North Pole. NORAD uses, in addition to Santa cams and a fighter jet escort, geosynchronous satellites equipped with infrared sensors that can zero in on — “Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows our satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa,” the site says.

Have yourself a merry little holiday!

Hahn Happenings

Upon return from the Thanksgiving recess, the House resumed debate over the payroll tax cut. In floor remarks on Nov. 30, Hahn said, “Americans need jobs and businesses need customers. A payroll tax cut helps accomplish both.”

House Republicans released a payroll tax cut proposal Friday and it is expected to be voted on this week.

From the Washington Post: “At a Capitol news conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) warned that congressional Democrats would reject the latest GOP offering as an effort to ‘hold hostage’ the payroll benefit for middle-class workers.”

Because the legislative package includes provisions related to a controversial oil pipeline project, Senate Democrats have pledged to vote down the Republican proposal.

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Joined by nine Congressional colleagues, Hahn continued to push for additional customs agents at LAX. In a letter to the administrator of the Customs and Border Protection agency, the lawmakers emphasized, “LAX simply does not have an adequate number of inspectors to accommodate current and future passenger traffic.” Daily Breeze. Hahn press release.

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With support from Hahn, the Grand Vision Foundation in downtown San Pedro received a $10,00 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Daily Breeze. Hahn press release.

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Los Angeles Times sports columnist Chris Erskine speculated tongue-in-cheek about public ownership of the LA Dodgers, mentioning a bill Hahn co-authored to permit such arrangements.

San Pedro District Office Opening

Hahn is opening a district office at 140 W. Sixth St. in downtown San Pedro on Jan. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during the First Thursday event. View the announcement for details and to RSVP.