The Week Ahead

A look at some upcoming news events:

Address: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivers the annual State of the City address.

Earthquake: Representatives of the Southern California Earthquake Center, the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Geologic Survey report new earthquake probabilities for the state.

Monday

O.C. bus service: The Orange County Transportation Authority will hold a hearing on proposed route changes.

Santa Monica: Officials hold a public celebration marking the Big Blue Bus’ 80 years of service. 11 a.m. at Third Street Promenade and Broadway.

Tuesday

Pay raise: The Orange County Board of Supervisors considers a pay raise for the county counsel.

China: Tibet activists will stage a hunger strike in front of the Chinese Consulate.

Rehab: The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors considers a project budget of $47.8 million for the refurbishment of Bob Hope Patriotic Hall near downtown.

Hate crimes: The Orange County Human Relations Commission will release its 2007 report on hate crimes in the county.

Avalon: The MTA holds a hearing to receive suggestions for transportation needs on Santa Catalina Island. 7 p.m. at Avalon City Hall.

Thursday

Expo Line: The MTA Construction Committee considers an increase in the Exposition Light Rail Transit Project by $54 million for the Culver City Aerial Station and structure.

Saturday

Earth Day: The California State Parks Foundation will hold 22 environmental improvement projects at parks statewide, as part of the 11th annual Earth Day Restoration and Cleanup.

Ask a Reporter

Q: What are some last-minute income tax payment tips before April 15 to avoid problems?

A: The Internal Revenue Service offers this advice:

* Double-check the figures, sign the form, attach all required schedules, send the return or request an extension by the April 15 filing deadline.

* If you receive unsolicited e-mail or telephone calls from anyone purporting to be from the IRS, it’s probably a scam. Don’t click on any links; don’t answer any questions.

Forward the e-mails or report the calls to phishing@irs.gov.

From latimes.com

Anum Khan, a junior at Whitney High School in Cerritos, writes on the Homeroom blog:

Being a part of Prom Club has changed from simply poring over magazines filled with gorgeous centerpieces, backdrops and party favors, to wondering which of these centerpieces/backdrops/party favors we can afford, will go with our theme (Hollywood Premiere), will be approved by the advisor, will match the building, and above all, wondering why I joined in the first place.

As logistics head, I’m in charge of what would be considered the least useful committee in Prom Club (the others being decorations and publicity).

Also, when it comes to planning school dances, my experience can be summed up in one word: none.

So do I really want to spend (what seems to my jobless

self) exorbitant amounts of money on a dress, heels, dinner, pictures, and limo (or

face the horror of carpooling), all to spend four hours at the prom?

Whether it’s because I’m in Prom Club, or that I don’t want to feel left out, or simply because I’m a girl, the answer is yes.

latimes.com/thehomeroom

Traffic Report

10 Freeway: The Normandie Avenue off- and onramps on the eastbound 10 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.

60 Freeway: On the eastbound 60, the north- and southbound offramps at Old Brea Canyon Road will be closed until 7 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.

90 Freeway: The westbound connector to the northbound 405 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday. The eastbound and westbound offramps at Centinela Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, as will the westbound onramp.

210 Freeway: The southbound Grand Avenue onramp to the westbound 210 will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

710 Freeway: The southbound connector to the southbound 5 will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday.