Inauguration jobs could offer quick cash

WASHINGTON - Some inauguration-related jobs are still available, but time to apply is running out quickly.

A search for "inauguration" in the jobs section of Craigslist's Washington site turn up several ads posted since New Year's Day, mostly for companies looking to pay people commissions for selling Barack Obama-themed merchandise to inauguration goers.

A few other companies posted ads on the site seeking chauffeurs. One company is seeking wait staff for inauguration week events at $25 an hour, and one company is looking for retail salespeople.

The catering outfit, La Prima Catering, did not return a call or e-mail seeking information for this article.

The Washington Post's job website only had a few ads for chauffeurs.

Laurie Holden, director of Frederick County Workforce Services, said that of the job openings she has heard of, none of the employers had specifically tied them to the inauguration.

Work in the hotel and restaurant industries is probably going to grow a bit this month, then fall off in February, she said.

Tom Foulkes, executive vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, said he hadn't heard anything recently about staffing from his organization's members.

Representatives of the Maryland and Washington hotel associations did not return phone calls seeking information.

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