Commission Finalizes
Recommendations to Improve Business Climate
 The
Los Angeles Business Retention and Attraction
Task Force worked this week to finalize
recommendations to the City Council on how to
improve the business climate in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Chamber President & CEO Leron
Gubler served on
the committee this past year as the
representative of Council District 13 and
Council President Eric Garcetti. Gubler said he
was particularly pleased with the recommendation
to create an L.A. Entertainment Technology
Development Zone to bundle city benefits and
programs to attract and retain entertainment
firms in the Hollywood area. Other issues that
the committee addressed include further business
tax cuts, reforms and simplification of the
City’s development process; reforming L.A.’s
Business Team to increase its effectiveness; and
investment in the Port of Los Angeles and LAX.
The report of the task force will be presented
to the new Jobs, Business Growth & Tax Reform
Committee of the City Council in January.
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KBKG reduces
taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits
Media BID Breaks
Ground on New Medians
 Construction
began last week on two more landscaped median islands on
Highland Avenue between Santa Monica and Fountain Avenues.
The new median strips will mirror the existing median at
Highland and Melrose that the Media Business Improvement
District installed several years ago. Devin Strecker of
the BID said, “We here at the BID are very excited about
these medians as we have been working on these for many
years and finally they are being built!” Strecker said that
he expects the city to complete the three remaining bocks
between Santa Monica and Waring in 2008. Congratulations
from the Chamber to the Media BID for their hard work on
this project!!
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Chamber Offers
Community Free Movie Screening
 On
Sunday, December 9th, the Hollywood Chamber of
Commerce and the Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation will
offer a holiday gift to the Hollywood community – a free
screening of the holiday movie comedy
A Christmas Story at the Egyptian Theatre, beginning at
2 p.m. As a special treat, actor Zack Ward and several
other cast members will be present to discuss the movie
following the screening. The chamber is sponsoring the movie
in cooperation with American Cinematheque. A grant from Iron
Mountain Film & Storage also helped to make it possible.
Hollywood & Highland is also expected to tie-in that day
with special events for the local residents. The
American Cinematheque is located at 6712
Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, (323)461-2020.
Please note that it will be a "first come, first
serve" basis.
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Members Take 15-20% Off with I&A Dry Cleaners:
Call 323-953-9988
Plan On Attending
Chamber’s Annual Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive
Mark
your calendars for the Chamber’s annual holiday mixer and
toy drive, to be held on Thursday, December 13, from 5:30 to
7:30 p.m. at the Music Box @ the Fonda. As is tradition,
the Holiday Mixer not only offers attendees festive
networking atmosphere, but also serves as the Chamber’s
opportunity to collect holiday gifts for children in our
community. Attendees bringing a new unwrapped toy or
appropriate child’s gift valued at a minimum of $10 will
receive free admission. RSVP to
Vivian@hollywoodchamber.net or call (323)469-8311.
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Reserve Online
 Recording
Academy Honored by Hollywood Historic Trust
From left:
Jimmy Jam, Pierre Cossette, Johnny Grant, Neil Portnow. ©Bob
Freeman / Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
The
Recording Academy, which presents the annual Grammy Awards,
was recognized this week with an Award of Excellence in
honor of their 50th anniversary. Chairman Johnny
Grant presented the award, which was placed in front of the
Johnny Grant Building. The awards are presented in
recognition of organizations that would not normally qualify
for a Walk of Fame star but which have achieved a notable
benchmark and are placed on private property. On hand for
the ceremony were the President/CEO of the Recording
Academy, Neil Portnow, and Jimmy Jam, who chairs their board
of directors and also has his own Walk of Fame star.
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Plans for 15th Annual
Women of Distinction Kick Off
 The
Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation is already planning
the 15th Annual Women of Distinction fundraiser which will
be held at The Globe at Universal on May 8, 2008. Laurie
Goldman of GO! Goldman Organization and Maureen Schultz of
Capitol Records are back for their second year as co-chairs
of this event. Nominations are now being accepted for Women
of Distinction and Golden Award through January 15, 2008.
Nominating forms are available on Hollywood Chamber website
at www.hollywoodchamber.net
or complete the
Nomination Form for Women of Distinction 2008.
This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Hollywood
Chamber Community Foundation, which raised more than
$100,000 last year. Funds from WOD are distributed through
the Community Foundation to Hollywood based nonprofit
organizations. The WOD planning committee is seeking
sponsors and silent auction items. Volunteers who are
interested in serving on the event committee, or soliciting
sponsorships and auction items can contact Kaylee Kiecker,
kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net.
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Businesses to Receive
Census Questionnaire
In
December, more than four-million American businesses will
receive the 2007 economic census forms, including 150,000
businesses in Los Angeles County. The census is the
nation’s most comprehensive measure of business and industry
taken every five years. Firms will be asked to report
information such as employment, payroll and the value of
goods and services sold. Forms must be returned to the U.S.
Census Bureau by Feb. 12, 2008. Businesses that receive
forms are required by federal law to respond. Information
about individual firms is kept confidential, and only
aggregate industry date are published. The Census Bureau
has launched a new Web site –
www.business.census.gov – to help businesses understand
the economic census and how it benefits them.
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Music
Industry Leaders Share Secrets of Success
with Small Business Community on January 26th
The Los Angeles Chapter of SCORE will
hold a workshop, “New
Music Industry Opportunities”, as part of its ongoing
Business Success Forum Series for the Los Angeles
small-business community. Music Recording Industry leaders —
Chris Stone, David Goggin and Kamran V - will talk about how
to build a successful music business in today’s volatile
music industry environment.
Saturday January 26, 2008, 10:00 AM — Noon
Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard Street, Glendale,
CA 91205
To make reservations, please register online at
www.scorela.org
or call SCORE by telephone at 818-552-3206 or e-mail
09@scorela.org.
Register Now! Seating Limited to 200!
$15 pre-registration, $20 at the door
Free with validation. Enter parking structure from Harvard
St.
Free
business counseling at the Hollywood Chamber
Offered by the Service Corps of Retired
Executives (SCORE)
Richard Krelstein, a retired business
turn-around specialist
Consulting services will be available most
Fridays 9:30 - 11:30am
To schedule an
appointment, call Vivian at (323)469-8311.
Hollywood & Highland Center
Shuttle Service for WICKED
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