Obama Is Back in Town [Updated]
[Updated | Oct. 24, 2011, 5:09 p.m. The president landed at LAX ahead of schedule at 4:33 p.m. and was taken by helicopter through the Westside. Obama and his secret security entourage will then drive to Hancock Park, which has officials preparing for major traffic jams]
President Obama is back in town Monday for the second time in a month, attending his first Latino fundraiser tonight and heading to the Valley to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
Obama began his three-day West Coast campaign in Las Vegas, where he introuced a housing intiative designed to help homeowners refinance their mortgages, demonstrating his effort to be proactive while his jobs bill is still locked in debate in Congress.
The president landed at LAX at 4:33 p.m. and was taken by helicopter through the Westside. Obama and his secret security entourage will then drive to Hancock Park, which has officials preparing for major traffic jams.
"You can count on street closures as the president's motorcade moves across town on Monday afternoon," said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
Obama's exact route will be revealed just hours before his arrival, according to Councilman Bill Rosendahl, but drivers can expect major north-south streets between the San Diego (405) Freeway and Highland Avenue to be closed.
L.A. residents should anticipate heavy traffic or street closures on:
- Sunset Boulevard;
- Santa Monica Boulevard;
- Pico Boulevard;
- and Olympic Boulevard.
At 6:15 p.m., Obama will dine at the home of producer James Lassiter along with guests who are willing to pay $35,800 per plate. Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith will host the event.
After dinner, the president will go to a nearby Latino fundraiser, hosted at the home of Antonio Banderas and his wife Melanie Griffith. Attendees include co-host Eva Longoria, Mayor Antonio Villaragoisa and guests who will pay $5,000 to attend.
Obama's final L.A. destination will be on an early taping of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in Burbank Tuesday morning. This will be the president's fourth appearance on the show and his second since entering office. Burbank residents should expect heavier traffic near the Cahuenga pass, according to Rosendahl.
The president is predicted to raise $1 million in LA before flying out of LAX at 11:45 a.m. to conclude his West Coast tour in San Francisco.
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