IN THIS ISSUE

Board Endorses Jefferson at Hollywood Project

SCAG Awards Chamber Demonstration Project

Board Endorses Housing Bond, City Council Term Limit Extension

Stars Come Out to Hollywood Boulevard

Chamber Supports Whitley Condo Project

Board Asks Councilmen to Move Second Phase of Highland Project Forward

Save the Date

All Hallow's Eve

Xmas Parade

Board Endorses Jefferson at Hollywood Project

The Hollywood Chamber Board of Directors has voted to endorse a mixed-use project on a 2.2-acre site at Highland and Yucca Avenues.  Proposed by the development company JPI, the project will include 270 apartment units and 8,500-sq.ft. of retail space along Highland Avenue.  The developers plan to have eight live-work units along the McCadden Avenue side of the project to help enliven that street.  Plans call for a total of 755 parking spaces, of which 285 will be dedicated to public parking serving the Hollywood Blvd. businesses adjacent to the project. JPI is seeking an alley vacation and hopes to break ground in 2007 on the project.

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SCAG Awards Chamber Demonstration Project

In another sign of the growing support for the Hollywood Central Park project that the Hollywood Chamber has been championing, word came this week that an important governmental agency has designated it as a demonstration project. The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has approved an application prepared by the Chamber and submitted by the Community Redevelopment Agency for the park to be a Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project.  As such, SCAG will provide their numerous resources to assist as planning goes forward to prove the feasibility of creating a 24-acre park on a cap built over the Hollywood Freeway between Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset Blvd. Don Scott, who chairs the Chamber’s task force, hailed the decision as another example of the increasing momentum for the project.

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Board Endorses Housing Bond,
City Council Term Limit Extension

In final action on November ballot measures, the Hollywood Chamber Board of Directors voted this week to endorse two local measures.  Measure H on the ballot would approve a $1-billion bond to fund workforce and affordable housing development in Los Angeles.   Boardmembers felt that the housing bond is needed to help to keep a healthy business environment.  Measure R would allow City Council members to serve three terms rather than the current two terms and would also reform campaign finance and ethics rules.  Although the measure has been criticized for including both issues in the same proposition, the Board felt the extension of term limits warranted the Chamber’s support. Other positions previously adopted by the Chamber include:

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Stars Come Out to Hollywood Boulevard

Two high profile Walk of Fame ceremonies were organized by the Hollywood Chamber this week that brought out celebrities, fans and a large media contingent.  On Monday, actor Bruce Willis was honored.  Also attending the ceremony were:  Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, Don Johnson, Kevin Costner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Sylvester Stallone, Demi Moore and Ashton Kuchner.  On Tuesday, Country Music giant Tim McGraw was honored.  His wife, Faith Hill, also a Country Music sensation, was on hand for the ceremony, as was Billy Bob Thornton.

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Chamber Supports Whitley Condo Project

Chamber Vice President of Public Policy spoke before the City’s Planning and Land-Use Management Committee (PLUM) this week to advocate in support of Metro-Core Development’s proposed 32-unit condo project at 1810-1816 Whitley Ave.  The PLUM Committee voted to uphold the Planning Department’s approval of the project and to reject a recommendation by the Cultural Heritage Commission to designate one of the existing buildings on the site as historic.

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Board Asks Councilmen to Move Second Phase of Highland Project Forward

The Hollywood Chamber Board of Directors voted this week to urge Hollywood’s Councilmen that the second phase of the Highland-Franklin improvement project needs to move forward in a timely way and that State relinquishment funds be used if necessary.  The Board has been concerned that there has been little movement by City agencies on phase two.  “This is the most congested intersection in Hollywood,” said Chamber President Leron Gubler.  “Completion of the entire project is in the best interest of the community.  Let’s not leave the intersection half completed.”

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Spoony Singh Passed Away

Spoony Singh and Louis Armstrong

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Don't Miss All Hallow's Eve this Thursday

Join us at All Hallows Eve benefit at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Thursday, October 26.  All monies raised go into the Foundation’s account to distribute to Hollywood charities. The eagerly-anticipated event is one of the most popular annual programs that the Chamber presents and will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $39 per person. Gold sponsors this year are Alliance Realty Partners, Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives, AT&T and Hollywood Forever Cemetery. To RSVP, go to Chamber Events.

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Hollywood Christmas Parade Grand Marshals

Celebrate 75th Anniversary!

Exclusive “Members Only” Parade Tickets Now Available

VIP Grandstand Ticket Packages for the 75^th world-famous Hollywood Christmas Parade are now available to members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. This exclusive package, valued at $60, includes reserved VIP seating, preferred parking, a free souvenir program and a limited edition Parade lapel pin – all for the incredible price of $27 each! The Parade will be held on Sunday, November 26th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (reserved ticket holders are required to arrive no later 3:30 p.m.)

Join the community and the Chamber in celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of this treasured Hollywood tradition! The special member’s only VIP packages are extremely limited, and will be reserved (for chamber members only) on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t delay! To reserve your tickets please contact BJ French at (323) 468-8311 x28, or bj@hollywoodchamber.net.  More Parade information can be found at www.HollywoodChristmasParade.org.

The 75th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade souvenir program is a great way to advertise. Your company's ad will be placed in 8500 color programs which will be sold in the grandstands and along the parade route as well as given to all of our celebrity and VIP guests.