In an
unprecedented occurrence, the 2007 State of
Hollywood Luncheon, with City Council President
Eric Garcetti, has sold out - only four days
after the invitations were mailed out. “While
we are pleased with the response that we have
received this year, we regret that we are not
going to be able to accommodate everyone who
wishes to attend,” said Chamber President & CEO
Leron Gubler. “This is an indication of the
growing energy and enthusiasm in Hollywood’s
business community.” Gubler noted the Chamber
had limited options in booking a room for the
event. “I’m sure we could have accommodated
another couple of hundred people if the space
were available,” he said. At this point, the
Chamber is taking names on a waiting list for
the luncheon, that will be held on Thursday,
January 25th, in the Blossom Room at
the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
East
Hollywood Business Improvement District is
Approved!!
A process that
took longer than six years of effort,
spearheaded by the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce, came to a successful conclusion this
week, when stakeholders in the proposed East
Hollywood Business Improvement District voted to
create the district. Property owners
representing an overwhelming 86.69 percent of
the assessments voted in favor of proceeding.
On hand to speak before the City Council were
former Councilmember Jackie Goldberg, who had
asked the Chamber to take on the project, Jeff
Zarrinnam of the Ramada Hollywood Hotel, and
Gail Koretz of Kaiser Permanente. The district
is expected to become official in about 30
days. The Chamber will continue to assist in
the establishment of the board for the district
and in managing it.
Freeway Park Funding Secured for Feasibility
Study
The
Los Angeles City Council approved a motion this
week to authorize the Community Redevelopment
Agency to contribute at least $100,000 toward a
feasibility study on whether a park can be built
above the Hollywood Freeway where it is below
grade through Hollywood. These funds, added to
those already raised by the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce, will allow the CRA to issue a Request
for Proposals by firms to conduct the study.
Don Scott, of First Financial Bancorp, who is
heading the Hollywood Central Park Coalition,
said that the study is crucial to establishing
the park as a viable project, and will enable
the coalition to seek additional funding to move
the idea forward.
Chamber Testifies in Support of Whole Foods
Project
Chamber V.P. of
Public Policy Rochelle Silsbee testified this
week on behalf of the Chamber in support of a
project proposed by Camden USA at the southeast
corner of Vine Street and Selma Avenue. The
centerpiece of the project is a 67,500-sq.ft.,
ground-level Whole Foods Market. In addition to
the market, there will be 306 apartments and 880
parking spaces. The development will also
feature artwork that alludes to the historical
nature of the site, where the first
feature-length motion picture was filmed in
Hollywood, “The Squaw Man”. Developers hope to
break ground in mid-2008.
It
was a busy week on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
as Mayor Johnny Grant, assisted by Chamber VP of
Media Relations Ana Martinez-Holler, presented
two outstanding ceremonies honoring both old and
new Hollywood. Two-time Academy Award winner
Hilary Swank was honored on
Monday. She is the third youngest woman in
history to win two Academy Awards as best
actress, for Boys Don’t Cry, and
Million Dollar Baby. On Thursday,
Emmy-winning television producer David Gerber
was honored. Gerber is well-known for producing
numerous successful TV series, including
Batman, Room 222, thirtysomething, Policy Story
and Police Woman. He was executive producer
of Flight 93. A veritable who’s who of
Hollywood showed up for the ceremony. Ernest
Borgnine, Ed Asner, and Peter Chernin of Fox all
spoke at the ceremony.
Hollywood’s
American Legion Post 43 will host the Chamber’s
monthly Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday,
January 25th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. Located at 2035 N. Highland Avenue, the
post is an L.A. registered historical landmark.
Built in 1928, the building’s architecture is
Egyptian Revival-Moroccan Deco, and is worth
attending the mixer just to view the impressive
building. However, there will be the usual
not-to-miss opportunity to mix, mingle and
network with other Chamber members. Price of
admission is $10 for members and $20 for
non-members, which includes two beverages and
delicious hors d’oeuvres. For reservations,
call (323)469-8311 or email
steven@hollywoodchamber.net.
I
The
Los Angeles City Council approved a motion this
week to authorize the Community Redevelopment
Agency to contribute at least $100,000 toward a
feasibility study on whether a park can be built
above the Hollywood Freeway where it is below
grade through Hollywood. These funds, added to
those already raised by the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce, will allow the CRA to issue a Request
for Proposals by firms to conduct the study.
Don Scott, of First Financial Bancorp, who is
heading the Hollywood Central Park Coalition,
said that the study is crucial to establishing
the park as a viable project, and will enable
the coalition to seek additional funding to move
the idea forward.
It
was a busy week on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
as Mayor Johnny Grant, assisted by Chamber VP of
Media Relations Ana Martinez-Holler, presented
two outstanding ceremonies honoring both old and
new Hollywood. Two-time Academy Award winner
Hilary Swank 
Hollywood’s
American Legion Post 43 will host the Chamber’s
monthly Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday,
January 25th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30
p.m. Located at 2035 N. Highland Avenue, the
post is an L.A. registered historical landmark.
Built in 1928, the building’s architecture is
Egyptian Revival-Moroccan Deco, and is worth
attending the mixer just to view the impressive
building. However, there will be the usual
not-to-miss opportunity to mix, mingle and
network with other Chamber members. Price of
admission is $10 for members and $20 for
non-members, which includes two beverages and
delicious hors d’oeuvres. For reservations,
call (323)469-8311 or email
