The comeback of Hollywood continues to garner widespread media interest. In a story this past week, the New York Times gave front page coverage to Hollywood’s revitalization efforts. The two-page spread traces the comeback of Hollywood and the optimistic future outlook for the film capital. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce staff assisted the reporter in collecting the information that was featured in the story.
A famous intersection in Los Angeles — Hollywood and Vine — seems to have finally achieved a comeback.

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Construction Progressing on New High School

Chamber President & CEO Leron Gubler toured the new Helen Bernstein High School this week with principal Maria Elena Rico. Under construction adjacent to the Hollywood Freeway at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Van Ness, the new school is expected to be completed by December 2007. The school, which is being built to house 2,000 students, will relieve pressure on Hollywood High School and will enable both schools to operate on a traditional schedule rather than the year-round system now in effect. While a September 2008 opening is anticipated, Principal Rico said she hopes the facility will be ready to handle the May to June 2008 intersession for Hollywood High.

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Call for Nominations for Women of Distinction Awards

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 14th annual Women of Distinction Awards luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, May 15, at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios. Each year, the Chamber honors women from the community who have shown outstanding dedication to Hollywood. Nominations for this year’s awards will be accepted through February 28th. Applications are available for downloading on the Chamber’s website at www.hollywoodchamber.net, or at the Chamber office, 7018 Hollywood Blvd. Past nominations may be reconsidered, but an application must still be re-submitted. Co-chairs Maureen Schultz of Capitol Records and Laurie Goldman of GO! Goldman Organization note that they are seeking active members who would like to serve on the Planning Committee and help raise awareness, funding and prizes. It is a great way to get involved with the community and with the honorees! If you are interested in serving on the committee or sponsoring or promoting your business with a prize donation for this important event, please contact Elizabeth at the Chamber (323)785-1760 or via email at info@hollywoodchamber.net.

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Crime Stats Continue a Positive Trend for Hollywood

Hollywood continues to be a leader in the City of Los Angeles in crime reduction. Captain Clay Farrell, commander of the LAPD’s Hollywood Division reported this week that Hollywood finished 2006 with a 8.1 percent reduction in Part I crimes (which include homicides, rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries, burglary/theft from motor vehicles and personal thefts). This accomplishment was on top of the very significant 16.3 percent reduction in 2004 and the13.8 percent reduction in 2005. “It is apparent that Hollywood is a much safer area in which to live and work,” said Farrell. So far in 2007, the positive trend is continuing. In the period from January 1 to January 27^th, compared to the same period in 2006, Part I crimes are down an additional 6.1 percent. Farrell said that his department’s 2007 strategies include continued focus on our top five active gangs, focusing on suspects who are under the influence of narcotics who steal to support their drug habits, and emphasizing enforcement activities relating to criminal homeless persons.

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Chamber Welcomes New Members

At last week’s Chamber mixer at American Legion Hall, several new member businesses were welcomed to the Chamber fold. They included: Coldwell Banker, represented by Brian Walker; the Costume Designers Guild, represented by Karyn Wagner and Sharon Day; an individual membership by Sean Bresnhan; LPL Financial, represented by Lynn Boland; and Imperial Tile & Stone, with a contingent that included Moran Amsalem, Debbie Gallander, Matthew Rendon, Wendy Romero, Carole Slama, Michelle Tsoubery, Tamar Yechezkiely and Sivan Abergl.

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Comerica Bank Opens Branch Office on Sunset

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce welcomed new member Comerica Bank to Hollywood during a ribbon cutting ceremony this week. Located at the corner of Argyle and Sunset, the new full service banking branch is located at 6255 W. Sunset Blvd, Suite 100 in Hollywood. Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Detroit strategically aligned into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank, and Wealth & Institutional Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people be successful. With a focus on small business solutions, there are now 17 Comerica banking centers in Los Angeles County. “We're continuing to combine the power of national lending and local banking in Los Angeles County. Comerica Bank's ongoing banking center expansion in this region increases customer convenience with additional network of access points," said David White, Southern California regional president of Comerica Bank's Western Market. The new banking center features Saturday banking hours, ATMs and night-depositories. For more information, please visit www.comerica.com or contact Yalda Noorzai at (323) 465-0641.

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Have You Written DOT Yet?

Two years ago, Department of Transportation (DOT) officials promised to begin construction on the garage in order to time its completion to that of the Encore Hall gay and lesbian elder housing that took up half of the surface lot. Encore Hall will be completed this March and the City has yet to break ground on the garage. DOT is now saying they can’t break ground before 2008. The Chamber is urging its members to either write or email Gloria Jeff, the general manager of the Department of Transportation, and request a quicker start on the garage. Her email address is: Gloria.Jeff@lacity.org.

A sample letter to Gloria Jeff is attached.