By Philip Elliott
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama's high-tech bandwagon is rolling on, combining information on inauguration events with a pitch for cash to pay for them.

The president-elect's aides told supporters Wednesday that they could learn by e-mail about community service projects around the country tied to his swearing-in on Jan. 20; that they could receive updates by cell phone on traffic and events in the nation's capital; that the best of their ideas on how to govern, submitted on his Web site, would get his attention.

In the process, the Obama team collected more data about potential supporters and donors.

Obama's team got out the information by e-mail to millions of current supporters, who, they hoped would pass the messages to friends. Obama already has a 13 million-person e-mail political database.

"I am asking you to join us in that same spirit of service to others — no matter where you live," Obama said in a four-minute speech posted on the Internet.

Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families plan to participate in service projects in the Washington area Monday. On an Obama-tied Web site, USAService.org, aides have posted thousands of volunteer opportunities across the country linked to his inauguration Tuesday.

An e-mail announcing the video message included a request for donations. Obama already has raised at least $41 million for next week's inaugural events.

Keeping with that participatory vibe, Obama planned to open the White House to the public shortly after he took office, a transition official said late Wednesday. Other administrations have done this, but Obama's team wanted to do the same in the spirit of maintaining an open and transparent administration.

Details on the move would be announced soon, the transition official said.

Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett told supporters, by e-mail, that transition officials would bind together user comments from Obama's Web site and present him with the top-rated ones. Thousands of entries were posted under the economy, energy, education and homeland security sections.

"Throughout this transition, a truly inspiring number of citizens have gotten involved," wrote Jarrett. "We hope that you remain involved through the inauguration and beyond."

Obama also announced that supporters can sign up to receive text messages about volunteer opportunities, traffic problems and event schedules.

"I am asking you to make a lasting commitment to make better the lives of your fellow Americans — a commitment that must endure beyond one day, or even one presidency," Obama said.

Obama urged voters to send a text message with the word "open" to 56333 to receive quick updates during his events.

Also Wednesday, Obama's inaugural committee said it would sell high-fashion handbags and T-shirts from $45 to $75, with the proceeds to pay for the enormous celebration. The committee said Diane Von Furstenberg, Zac Posen and Juicy Couture would contribute designs to help the public take ownership of the event.

On the Net:

Transition site: http://change.gov/

WASHINGTON (AP) — After more than 36 years in the Senate, Joe Biden is giving up his seat to assume the vice presidency.

Biden is scheduled to give a farewell address on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

Biden is the first Delawarean and first Catholic to be elected vice president, and he leaves the Senate as its fourth-longest tenured member and youngest seven-term Senator.

He'll be replaced by his former Chief of Staff, Ted Kaufman.

By Gillian Gaynair

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Bob Coward rolls along the U.S. Capitol grounds, speeding up as he nears a set of port-a-potties set up for the throngs of visitors on Inauguration Day.

To his relief, he spots the wheelchair ramp. "OK, OK, we're good," said Coward, spokesman for the Washington-area's ADAPT, a disability advocacy group. "I can use the bathroom."

Coward's test run from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial last weekend provided him an early glimpse of the challenges he and other people with disabilities could face next Tuesday, when President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in. And he saw a few things that caused concern: There were missing curb cuts on some sidewalks. A cable line cover caused him to pitch dangerously forward in his chair as he crossed. And as workers mounted viewing stands on Pennsylvania Avenue, he wondered where the elevated platforms would be for people like him.

Some people with disabilities already are feeling discouraged by warnings of record crowds of 1 million or more and unprecedented security that will wall off much of downtown Washington, severely limiting parking and other transportation options normally available to them.

"I'm very deterred and concerned about access issues," said Coward, 44. "I don't want to get there and get disappointed and create a one-man demonstration."

Organizers say it is not possible to estimate how many people with disabilities will attend inaugural festivities. But they and advocates predict there will be more than at previous inaugurations, partly because Obama's inclusive message has appealed to people of all walks of life. The ranks of visitors with disabilities are likely to include some older African Americans who have waited generations to see the country's first black president.

"At every event that the (Obama) campaign did during the election, we wanted to be sure to be welcoming to Americans with disabilities, so this is certainly not something new for us," said Kevin Griffis, a spokesman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. "I think just the scale is perhaps larger."

But along with the invitations have come words of caution. Inaugural planners have stressed how difficult it will be for everyone — not just disabled people — to get into Washington and maneuver around the city. There will be long waits on the roads, trains and buses, followed by hours of waiting in the cold.

Obama reiterated that in a statement on Wednesday, but also urged Americans to get involved in different ways — and different cities — if they don't want to brave the crowds.

"What we're trying to do is paint a realistic picture," said Carole Florman, a spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which plans the swearing-in ceremony at the Capitol. "It's not a matter of being discouraging or encouraging."

Mike Reynolds of Lewiston, Maine, said it's going to be difficult, "if not impossible," for him to get around on Inauguration Day.

Reynolds, 35, plans to travel by bus or train to attend a first-ever Disability Power & Pride Inaugural Ball on Jan. 18, and hopes to get close to the swearing-in ceremony, too.

But Reynolds, who has cerebral palsy, always travels with a backpack to carry prescription drugs, adult diapers and sometimes, a catheter. "No backpacks will be allowed," he said. "That's basically telling people with a serious disability issue that you're not allowed."

For Luther Smith, coming to the inauguration will probably mean a same-day trip from his home in Villanova, Pa. He's one of the original Tuskegee Airmen invited to attend Obama's swearing-in, and he's determined to be part of the historic day.

He and the other men are scheduled to meet at Bolling Air Force Base on Jan. 20, and then be transported on charter buses to the Capitol, according to a spokeswoman with Tuskegee Airman Inc., in Arlington, Va.

Smith said the only thing that would stop him is rain, snow or freezing temperatures. "I'm 88, but it's not going to be easy for anybody," said Smith, who uses a wheelchair and said he's been hospitalized for a year.

"If it's possible for me to be there, I'm going to be there," he said.

In planning for older folks and people with disabilities, the two inaugural committees have tapped into experts on accessibility issues.

At the Capitol, there will be drop-off points with waiting golf carts for people with disabilities, although they'll probably be difficult to reach because of street closures. Organizers recommend that people with disabilities use city buses, the subway or charter buses, taxis and limos. But they should plan for delays and be ready to walk or use their wheelchairs for some distance.

Inaugural organizers plan to have Americans With Disabilities Act-accessible bleachers along the parade route, raised platforms for wheelchair users on the National Mall and at the swearing-in, as well as services for the deaf and blind. Thousands of volunteers will be on hand help, too, including around Metro's subway system.

Last week, Jonathan Young of Bethesda, Md., said he'd probably use the subway to get to the festivities. The 39-year-old senior counsel at FoxKiser in D.C. is partially paralyzed from a spinal cord injury and uses a foot brace. He said he's heard that people should expect to walk long stretches to the festivities.

Walking or standing for long periods is not an option for Young, who has tickets to the opening ceremony, swearing-in and Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball. But he said that with enough foresight and planning — both by individuals and organizing committees — he thinks the inauguration can be accessible.

"I think this is all doable and workable," he said. "The main message is people with disabilities want to be included and be a part of history just like everybody else."

On the Net:

Presidential Inaugural Committee: http://www.pic2009.com

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies: http://inaugural.senate.gov/

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: http://www.wmata.com/

WASHINGTON (AP) — More Republicans are taking prominent roles in a series of dinners planned the night before President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration as a nod toward bipartisanship in government.

The three dinners are scheduled at different locations in Washington Monday night.

Participating in the dinners will be Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former Sens. John Warner of Virginia and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

To be honored are Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, also a Republican, and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, a Democrat.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee said Thursday they are being honored for bipartisan cooperation during a lifetime of public service.

By Brett Zongker
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Thousands of military families and children from across the mid-Atlantic region will be honored during a special concert for kids on the eve of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, organizers announced Wednesday.

Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers are slated to perform at the Monday night event, along with Demi Lovato and Bow Wow. Usher, Billy Ray Cyrus and Keke Palmer also are scheduled to appear at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington. The concert will be televised on the Disney Channel.

Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host the event with their families. The audience will include active duty, reserve and guard forces, as well as wounded warriors and families of fallen soldiers.

"So many of our military members, they get deployed to foreign regions and have to leave their children behind," said Lt. Cmdr. Brenda Steele of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee, who has served in Afghanistan. "Now our incoming commander in chief and the new first lady to-be, they're rendering honors to us."

The Presidential Inaugural Committee said tickets have been distributed to families through the Department of Defense and through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, which serves about 35,000 children annually.

"Our kids have been closely following the election process and actually conducted mock elections," said Kerrin Torres of the Boys & Girls Clubs. "They coined Barack Obama as the Boys and Girls Clubs president."

By Jake Coyle
AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK — If you thought the Golden Globes was a party, just wait until you see Barack Obama's inauguration. Next week, Washington will look a lot like a colder version of Hollywood.

Here's a roundup of who will be where, keeping in mind that in the mad rush to D.C., schedule changes may occur.

THE BIG SHOW

On Sunday, tradition will be upheld with a free star-studded concert on the National Mall, starting at 2:30 p.m. Among the many performers: Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, Usher, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban, John Legend and James Taylor. Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III and Queen Latifah will read. Obama will stop by and HBO will broadcast "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial."

WHERE'S OPRAH

Winfrey will host a live episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" from the Kennedy Center Opera House on Monday. She'll also host a second episode on Wednesday. Winfrey has not announced her plans on Inauguration Day.



WHERE'S SPIKE

Spike Lee will appear at a daylong symposium at Howard University on Monday to discuss topics including the impact of Obama on Black America. Also there will be Rev. Al Sharpton, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Henry Louis Gates. Lee will also host an after-party Tuesday evening.

OTHER CONCERTS

BET will hold an awards ceremony, the BET Honors, Saturday at the Warner Theater to honor Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, Ervin "Magic" Johnson and others. Gabrielle Union will host and performers include Queen Latifa, Ne-Yo, Anita Baker and Joss Stone.

The Hip-hop Caucus will host a concert Saturday at Ibiza with Common, Mary J. Blige and Nelly.

Jessica Alba will host a kickoff event by youth voter initiative Declare Yourself on Sunday dubbed "A New Birth of Citizenship." Maroon 5 and DJ Samantha Ronson will perform.

"Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" will be held Monday night at the Verizon Center and air on the Disney Channel. Performing will be Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers and Bow Wow. Michelle Obama and Jill Biden will host with their families.

The "America Feels Kinda Cool Again Inaugural Gala" will feature the Beastie Boys, Sheryl Crow and Citizen Cope on Monday at the 9:30 club.

Jay-Z will perform a concert — "In Concert on the Eve on Change" — at the Warner Theater on Monday.

Aretha Franklin will play a free concert at the Kennedy Center with Nuttin' But Stringz and the Let Freedom Ring Choir on Monday.

Manifest Hope will finish a three-day-long, Inauguration-themed art exhibit with a party featuring performances by Santogold, Moby and De La Soul.

THE OFFICIAL BALLS

The Neighborhood Ball: ABC will broadcast this ball for Washington residents at the Washington Convention Center. Performing will be Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill and Mary J. Blige.

The Youth Ball: This ball is for people aged 18 to 35 to celebrate "the role young Americans can play to serve their communities." After announcing and then junking a similarly themed ball, MTV will broadcast it. Fall Out Boy is among the acts attending.

The other eight official balls are: the Home States Ball, the Commander in Chief Ball, the Biden Home State Ball, the Mid-Atlantic Ball, the Western and Southern Regional Ball, the Midwest Regional Ball, the New England Ball and the Southern Regional Ball.

THE UNOFFICIAL BALLS

The "Dreams of My Father" American Scholars Inaugural Ball will take place Sunday at the Four Seasons and feature Alicia Keys, Macy Gray and LL Cool J.

The Voto Latino Inaugural Party will on Sunday include Marc Antony, Rosario Dawson, Tony Plana and Wilmer Valderrama.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will take place Monday at the Harman Center and be hosted by Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, T.I. and Young Jeezy

The Huffington Post Preinaugural Ball will be held Monday night at the Newseum and feature performances by Sting and will.i.am. Attendees will include Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Denzel Washington, Shakira, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry and Ashton Kutcher.

The Green Inaugural Ball will be held Monday at the Portrait Gallery and be hosted by Al Gore.

Muhammad Ali will attend the Kentucky Inaugural Ball on Monday at the Marriott Wardman Hotel.

The nonprofit arts and entertainment advocacy group Creative Coalition will hold a gala to be headlined by Elvis Costello and Sting at the Harman Center for the Arts on Tuesday. Also attending will be Anne Hathaway, Spike Lee, Tim Robbins, Maggie Gyllenhaal and others.

The Purple Ball, Tuesday at the Fairmont Hotel, will be hosted by Lou Gossett Jr. and Il Divo will perform. Expected to attend are: Ashley Judd, Patricia Arquette, John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Amy Brenneman, Brendan Fraser, Susan Sarandon and Lisa Marie Presley.

There will be two American Music Balls: The Legends Ball, hosted by Dionne Warwick and featuring Chaka Khan and George Clinton; and the Urban Ball — hosted by Ludacris and featuring Cedric the Entertainer and Monica. Both will be held Tuesday at the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel.

BET will host an inaugural ball at the Mandarin Oriental hotel Tuesday. The network will broadcast an hour special to coincide with the ball, which will include a performance by Wyclef Jean.

The Equality Ball, hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, will be held Tuesday at the Mayflower Hotel with appearances by Cyndi Lauper, Melissa Etheridge and Rufus Wainwright.

The Inaugural Peace Ball, Tuesday at the Smithsonian Postal Museum, will be hosted by Harry Belafonte and include Joan Baez, Graham Nash and Jackson Brown.

Rihanna will perform at the Recording Industry Association of America Inaugural Ball to benefit Feeding America on Tuesday.

Nas, Josh Groban, Slash and Robert Randolph are among those performing at the Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball (benefiting military families and veterans) on Tuesday at the Warner Theater.

A schedule of some official and unofficial activities surrounding Barack Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20:

SATURDAY, JAN. 17

* President-elect Barack Obama and his family ride the train from Philadelphia to Washington, stopping in Wilmington, Delaware, for Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. Train will stop in Baltimore for speech before heading south.

* BET Honors, an awards ceremony, at the Warner Theater.

* People's Inaugural Gala Celebration at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

* Will.i.am "Yes We Did" concert.

* Concert with Mary J. Blige, Common and Nelly at nightclub Ibiza.

SUNDAY, JAN. 18

* Obama will kick off inaugural activities with a welcome event on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday afternoon. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. Beyonce, U2, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Usher, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban and James Taylor are among the musicians scheduled to perform.

* Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Ritz-Carlton.

* EMILY's List Inaugural Luncheon with scheduled guests including Cabinet appointees Hillary Rodham Clinton and Janet Napolitano, Sens. Kay Hagan and Jeanne Shaheen, and North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue.

* African-American Church Inaugural Ball at the Grand Hyatt Washington.

* 2009 Latino Inaugural Gala with Marc Anthony at Union Station.

* Aloha Inaugural Ball, organized by former Obama campaign workers, held at the Wardman Park Marriott Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

MONDAY, JAN. 19

* National Day of Community Service event: To honor Dr. King's legacy, Obama, Biden and their families, joined by Americans across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C. area.

* Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball, sponsored by the Texas State Society, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

* Green Inaugural Ball at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture. Ball hosted by former Vice President Al Gore.

* Huffington Post preinaugural ball at the Newseum.

* Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts. Hosted by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, among others.

* A children's evening concert at the Verizon Center honoring military families. Event hosted by Michelle Obama, who will attend. Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers are among the entertainers.

* Obama to attend three private dinners to honor former secretary of State Colin Powell, Biden and Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, for their public service. Dinners at the Hilton Washington, National Building Museum and Union Station.

TUESDAY, JAN. 20 (INAUGURATION DAY)

Gates to the Inaugural Ceremony open at 8 a.m. The inaugural festivities are scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. They will include:

* Musical selections of The United States Marine Band, followed by the San Francisco Boys Chorus and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.

* Sen. Dianne Feinstein provides call to order and welcoming remarks.

* Invocation by the Rev. Rick Warren.

* Musical selection of Aretha Franklin.

* Biden will be sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.

* Musical selection of John Williams, composer/arranger with Itzhak Perlman, (violin), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Gabriela Montero (piano) and Anthony McGill (clarinet).

* Obama will take the Oath of Office, using President Lincoln's Inaugural Bible, administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Scheduled around noon.

* Obama gives the inaugural address.

* Poem by Elizabeth Alexander.

* Benediction by Rev. Joseph E. Lowery.

* The National Anthem by The United States Navy Band "Sea Chanters."

After Obama gives inaugural address, he will escort outgoing President George W. Bush to a departure ceremony before attending a luncheon in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.

The 56th Inaugural Parade will then make its way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House.

Later that day, the Presidential Inaugural Committee will host 10 official inaugural balls:

* Neighborhood Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Obama Home States (Illinois and Hawaii) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Biden Home States (Pennsylvania and Delaware) Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Midwest Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Mid-Atlantic Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

* Commander-in-Chief's Ball at the National Building Museum.

* Southern Inaugural Ball at the National Guard Armory.

* Eastern Inaugural Ball at Union Station.

* Youth Inaugural Ball at the Washington Hilton.

Unofficial balls include:

Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball at the Capitol Hilton.

Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts.

Recording Industry Association of America's ball for Feeding America.

BET's Inaugural Ball at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Africa on the Potomac inaugural celebration at Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

American Music Inaugural Ball at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Inaugural Purple Ball at the Fairmont Hotel.

Human Rights Campaign's Equality Ball at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel.

Inaugural Peace Ball at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum.

Impact Film Fund ball.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 21

The president, vice president and their families will participate in a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.