Government Reaches Out to Public--at the Mall : Panorama City: Agencies set up booths for the day, offering information on everything from tree trimming to tax returns.

Interspersed among Panorama Mall’s regular booths offering exotic perfumes, multicolored pagers and hand-painted portraits on Saturday were more than 40 exhibits by various government and public service agencies.

The 15th annual State Government Day provided visitors with an opportunity to ask questions and receive materials about everything from tree trimming to tax returns. Admission was free.

“The idea behind it is to bring government closer to people,” said Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar), who hosted the annual event. “Mostly it’s about getting people a contact, putting a face in the bureaucracy.”

Hundreds of people are believed to have visited the State Government Day booths during the six hours they were set up in the mall’s central corridor. Most residents came to last year’s event with questions triggered by the Northridge earthquake, but many on Saturday were concerned about finding jobs.

“Everybody wants to know the same thing,” said Steven Cohen of the Economic Development Department’s booth. “A lot of people who have been laid off are looking for some new training.”

Participating agencies ranged from law enforcement groups and the Boys & Girls Club to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Internal Revenue Service. Agency officials say such events are an effective way of informing people about their organizations, answering questions and promoting certain messages.

“Education, we’ve decided, is the best way to get people to file their returns,” said Jack Chapman, who manned the IRS booth Saturday. “It’s much better than sending out an auditor.”

Not everyone who approached had a question.

Children lingered near law enforcement exhibits, collecting buttons and bumper stickers while admiring a pair of police cars on display. Some adults took the time to give a thank you for earlier help, and others wanted to pass along a few comments.

The IRS booth fielded a wide variety of questions and comments, Chapman said.

“ ‘I haven’t got my refund’ is a big one,” he said.