Chamber Delegation In Washington DC Working on Hollywood Issues

Fifteen representatives of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce are in Washington, D.C. this week advocating for Hollywood issues.  On Tuesday, they met with Congressional Representatives or staffs of Xavier Beccera, Lucille Roybal Allard, Brad Sherman and Diane Watson.  Additional meetings are set for Wednesday and Thursday before their return to L.A.  Among the issues the Chamber is discussing in the nation’s capital include: transportation funding for Los Angeles, health care funding and reforms, homeless funding, anti-piracy legislation, tourism bills as well as the proposed Hollywood Freeway Central Park and needed repairs to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  New Chamber Chair Mark Panatier of the A.F. Gilmore Co. is leading the Chamber delegation.

Press Conference Signals Completion of Highland Ave. Construction

Photo by Marlene Panoyan
A press conference held last week marked the completion of a $3-million improvement to the intersection of Highland and Franklin Avenues.  The intersection is the busiest in the City of Los Angeles and one of the most congested.  The project included the addition of several turn lanes, widening the street by five feet to make traffic lanes safer, new decorative lights and landscaping.  Chamber President Leron Gubler congratulated the City on the traffic improvements but reminded them that this project is only the first of a two-phased project and that the second phase is needed in order to have the greatest impact on traffic flowing through the intersection.  City Councilman Tom LaBonge pledged to work to find the funds to complete the second phase.  The second phase will widen the street on the west side to allow two lanes of traffic to turn left onto Franklin Avenue.

KBKG reduces taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits

Chamber Ready to Move Forward After Retreat and Installation

Photo by Bob Freeman
The Chamber’s new fiscal year began April 1^st, and the Chamber is ready to move full speed ahead after a busy week.  More than 35 Chamber leaders attended the annual Board Planning Conference in Riverside a week ago, and new officers and directors were installed at the 87^th annual awards luncheon this past week.  Brian Folb of Paramount Contractors and Developers was presented The Chair’s Award by Jeff Briggs for his service to the Chamber, including co-chairing the Economic Development Committee and annual summit and service on TEAM HOLLYWOOD and the Board.  Legendary Actress Esther Williams received a standing ovation as she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Actor Peter Graves made the presentation to her on behalf of the Chamber.

Talk to Marty: Addiction Counseling Services (213)500-8865

Chamber Honors Composer and Actress on Walk of Fame

Photos by Bob Freeman

It was a busy week for the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week.  On Tuesday, Academy-Award winning composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz was presented with his star in front of the Pantages Theatre.  He is the composer of the Broadway hit Wicked, as well as music for animated features Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Prince of Egypt.  On Thursday, soap opera star Kate Linder was honored with the 2,360^th star.  Kate has been a star in The Young and the Restless for 25 years.  On hand to help her celebrate was Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other actors from the show.

Members Take 15-20% Off with I&A Dry Cleaners: Call 323-953-9988

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LAPD Announces Senior Lead Officer Summit

The Hollywood Division of the LAPD has announced its Hollywood Area Senior Lead Officer Summit, which will take place on April 23, at 6 p.m., at the Hollywood City Hall building, 6501 Fountain Avenue.  The purpose of the summit will be to identify two or three important problems for the community and LAPD to address.  For further information regarding the summit, call their community relations office, (213)485-4316.

Reach 30,000 Local Residents with Hollywood Shopper

Advertising space is now available for those looking to get their message out to 30,000 local residents. The November issues of the Hollywood Shopper brought in 70 customers for the Farmers Market, 21 reservations for the Holiday Inn, and Universal Studios is still receiving customers from their ad!  Space is limited so sign up now to reserve a ½ page ad ($699) or a full page ad ($1200) and we will take care of the rest!  All ads are full color, full bleed on glossy paper and will be in 30,000 Hollywood homes by mid-May! Contact kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net for more details.

Foundation Plans 15th Annual WOD Fundraiser

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. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation, which raised more than $100,000 last year. 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 Mick Barrett, mick@hollywoodchamber.net

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.

Attend a Free Small Business Fair
Sponsored by Judy Chu, Ph.D., Chair, California State Board of Equalization
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Hilton Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Drive
Universal City, CA 91608
Free admission
To register online visit www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/tpsched.htm
For more information contact: Call 213-593-1311