Hollywood Christmas Parade to
End After 75 Years
 It
was with deep regret that the Chamber announced
this week, that after a 75-year run, the
Hollywood Christmas Parade was coming to an
end. We want to advise our members what a
difficult decision this was for the Board of
Directors. The Parade has been a Southern
California institution important to generations
of Angelinos. The Chamber has struggled to keep
the parade going for the past 10 years. To
present a parade of the caliber of the Hollywood
Christmas Parade that is nationally broadcast is
an expensive proposition, costing the Chamber
more than $600,000 annually. In recent years,
it has been touch-and-go whether the Chamber
would break even, and more often than not, we
ended in the red. This last parade resulted in
a significant loss to the Chamber. Because of
flat television ratings, it appeared that if we
were to go forward this year, the loss could
easily double. The Board believed that it would
not be a fiscally-responsible decision for the
Chamber to proceed under the circumstances. We
believe that there are other important ways that
the Chamber can serve Hollywood and the business
community. The Chamber appreciates the
tremendous support of our members and of our
broadcast partner, KTLA, in presenting the
parade over the years. Very few chambers of
commerce undertake a project of the magnitude of
the Hollywood Christmas Parade, and we pulled it
off successfully year after year. Read the the
full text of the Chamber announcement
concerning the Parade.
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Vanessa Williams Adds
Her Name
to Hollywood Walk of
Fame
 A
large and enthusiastic crowd was on hand this
week as Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant inducted
Vanessa Williams into the Hollywood Walk of
Fame. The multi-faceted star was honored in the
recording category, although she is currently
known for her role on the new ABC television hit
Ugly Betty. Many of the cast members of
the show were present and spoke at the ceremony
as well as the show producer, Salma Hayek.
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 Enterprise
Zone Seminar Draws 100
More than 100
Chamber members turned out for a seminar this
week to explain the direct benefits that
businesses can derive from the new Los Angeles
Enterprise Zone. Speakers explained and
answered questions on employee hiring tax
credits of up to $35,100 per qualified employee,
sales or use tax credits, business expense
deductions,   net
operating loss carryovers, DWP electrical rate
reductions and other possible benefits. Charles
Armstrong of Paramount Pictures emceed the event
that was held in Paramount’s Sherry Lansing
Theatre. The event was co-sponsored by KBKG,
Inc., a private consultant that assists
businesses in determining for which benefits
they qualify. The Chamber plans to offer
follow-up programs in the future to further
assist businesses in learning about the
programs, and will also post information on the
Chamber website:
www.hollywoodchamber.net.
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Reduce
taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
TEAM HOLLYWOOD on hand
at ULI Urban Marketplace
TEAM HOLLYWOOD,
a group organized by the Chamber, participated
this week in the ULI Urban Marketplace at the
L.A. Convention Center with a booth to showcase
Hollywood before the 800 development
professionals in attendance. Chamber members
who assisted with the exhibit included Brian
Folb of Paramount Contractors, Marty Shelton of
NAI Capital Commercial, and Steve Tronson of
Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate. Also
assisting with the exhibit were the CRA/LA’s
Hollywood office. The Hollywood Chamber was the
only chamber of commerce participating in the
conference.
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Foundation Presents
Grants to Two Worthy Organizations
Jeff Briggs,
chair of the Chamber’s Community Foundation,
presented $2,500 checks this week at the Belmont
Village Mixer to two great local nonprofit
organizations. Nyla Arslanian of the Hollywood
Arts Council received a check to assist with
their Project Soar after-school arts program,
while Ron Radichy of The Oasis accepted the gift
to assist with improving their outdoor gathering
area for teenagers. The Foundation has given
out nearly $350,000 in grants since it was
created a decade agol
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Make Reservations Now
for 86th Installation and Awards Luncheon
One of the most
popular Chamber yearly events is the annual
Installation and Awards Luncheon, which will be
held this year on April 5th at the
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. This year a
Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to
Bob Barker of The Price is Right, who is
celebrating his 50th year in
broadcasting. In addition, Jeff Briggs of
Briggs Law will be installed for a second year
as Chairman of the Board of the Chamber, as well
as other officers and directors. Tickets are
$75 each or $800 for a table. Reservations can
be made online at
www.hollywoodchamber.net or by calling the
Chamber. Presenting sponsors for the event this
year are AT&T and CRA/LA. Supporting sponsors
include: Andrews International Security, Briggs
Law, Paramount Contractors and Developers and
Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate.
Reserve Online at
www.hollywoodchamber.net
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Follow the Yellow Brick
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Hollywood & Highland Center
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