Madame Tussauds Hollywood Begins Countdown to Grand Opening

Local officials helped to unveil figures of Jamie Foxx and Beyoncé Knowles at the press conference.

Hollywood Chamber member Madame Tussauds announced this week that the $55-million Madame Tussauds Hollywood is less than one year from opening its famous attraction at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive next to the famous Graumann’s Chinese Theatre. This is the first Madame Tussauds to be built from the ground up, housed in a 40,000 sq. ft., three story contemporary building with underground parking, designed by Los Angeles architect Michael Rotondi of JAG/RoToArchitecs. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Council President Eric Garcetti, Hollywood Chamber President/CEO Leron Gubler and city officials were on hand for the announcement. Mayor Villaraigosa welcomed Madame Tussauds as the area’s newest attraction and a major employer and tax revenue generator. He also announced that Madame Tussauds plans to make a life-size wax figure to immortalize Hollywood’s Honorary Mayor Johnny Grant who passed away in January.  Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Inc. is a part of the U.S. Division of the Merlin Entertainment Group Ltd. When it opens in 2009 which marks the 200th anniversary of Madame Tussauds, the Hollywood location will become the 9th museum in the Madame Tussauds worldwide portfolio.

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Chamber Testifies In Support Of Gerding Edlen Project

Twice in the past week, before the Planning Commission and the L.A. Planning and Land Use Committee, Chamber Vice President of Public Policy Nicole Shahinian has testified in support of the proposed Sunset & Gordon project being developed by Gerding Edlen.  Although the project had been approved by the City, that decision has been appealed by residents opposed to the parking plan for the site.  The mixed-use project will provide Hollywood’s first workforce housing for middle-income residents, with 300 condos, 12,000-sq.ft. of retail and 40,000-sq.ft. of office space.  As approved, the project has less than the normal city requirement of two spaces per unit.  The concept is that because of the mix of uses, with office space emptying out at night, there will be adequate parking.  Shahinian testified that the only way to provide affordable housing is for the City to look at new paradigms in order to bring costs down for average families.

The Wait is Finally Over...
The 10th Annual L.A.'s Largest Mixer is Thursday, July 24!

Please join us on Thursday, July 24 at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center as we combine the networking power of 30 L.A. area chambers of commerce and business organizations with the best networkers from all over Southern California to give you the ultimate business networking experience.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Over 3000 Attendees - Mix and mingle with hundreds and hundreds of business professionals from around Southern California. Don't forget to bring lots of business cards!

2. Visit over 250 Exhibitor Booths! - From small to large companies and every industry in between, visit the exhibitors of the L.A. Mixer on both levels of the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

3. TalkRadio 790 KABC Live Broadcast - Check out KABC Radio's Al Rantel broadcasting live from the L.A. Mixer.

4. Hotel Stay Giveaways - Drop your business card at our admissions area for a chance to win one of four fantastic getaways:
   - Two-night stay at The Avi Resort & Casino in Laughlin, NV
   - Two-night stay at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
   - Sunday Brunch Cruise from Hornblower Cruises and Events PLUS a one-night stay at the Marina del Rey Marriott.
   - One-night stay in a luxurious Marina View room at the Inn at Playa del Rey. Includes breakfast, evening hors d'oeuvres, and parking.

5. Learn About the Benefits of Being a Chamber Member

Visit the booths of our participating 30 chambers and business organizations located throughout the event to learn how becoming a member can make your business grow.
Become an attendee today by registering online: http://www.largestmixer.com/lamixer/tickets.php
ADMISSION: $20 (No checks, please.)

INFORMATION:
What: L.A.’s Largest Mixer X
When: Thursday, July 24, 2008
Time: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Shrine Auditorium, 700 W. 32nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90007, Parking: $5
Visit http://www.lamixer.com or call 323.230.5656

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

Chamber Foundation Approves Community Grants

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation approved three grants to community organizations this week.  The Foundation approved a $2,500 grant to assist The Oasis, an agency serving at-risk teenagers, in acquiring a new van.  The Traveler’s Aide Society also received a $2,500 grant to help in the refurbishment of their new location in Hollywood.  The Foundation also voted to make a contribution of $2,500 to help offset the costs of the Project YIMBY Connect Day outreach to homeless individuals held recently at the Music Box at the Fonda.

Lipizzaner Stallions Get “Hoofprints” At The Egyptian Theatre

Arthur Hiller, director of the famous movie “Miracle of the White Stallions” and George Patton Waters , grandson of General George Patton who saved the stallions during WWII,  were on hand to witness The Lipizzaner Stallions  get immortalized last week with a  " hoofprint ceremony "  at the The Egyptian Theater  to publicize their visit to L.A . Chamber President & CEO Leron Gubler presented a plaque to Hiller for his work to promote the stallion. The Lipizzaner Stallions are on their 38th Anniversary Tour in 2008  and first visit to L.A. in 20  years . In 1970, Producer Gary Lashinsky created a new family arena attraction, starring The "World Famous" Lipizzaner Stallions. Usually between 12 and 14 stallions tour on a show.

Larry King Square Designated at Sunset & Cahuenga

In honor of his 50^th year in broadcasting, Larry King of CNN was honored last week by having the corner of Sunset and Cahuenga Blvds. named Larry King Square.  Councilmembers Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge were on hand to make the announcement and to unveil the signs.  King said he’d always wanted to have a street named after him.  The Chamber honored King with a star on the Walk of Fame in recognition of his 40^th anniversary in 1998.  CNN has recently upgraded its Hollywood facilities and made a long-term commitment to keeping its West Coast headquarters in Hollywood.

Public Workshops Announced On Hollywood Sign Regulations

The City of Los Angeles invites the community to a public workshop concerning sign regulations in the Hollywood Sign District and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Hollywood Project Area.  Attend on one of the scheduled dates and give your input regarding future signage in the Hollywood area.  There is no need to register or RSVP. Come and share your ideas! The guidelines for signs in the area are designed to promote appropriate signage in Hollywood that would contribute to the area's image as an entertainment destination, while limiting the visual impacts of signage on residents and historic buildings. The Planning Department and the CRA review individual applications for signage in an effort to limit visual clutter and enhance the major transportation corridors in Hollywood.  The City is currently reviewing and revising guidelines; these workshops are being held in order to gather public input about what sort of changes residents and other stakeholders would like to see relating to signage in their area.
Saturday, July 19 10 AM - 12 PM
Old Fire Station 27: 1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
Wednesday, July 23*, 10 AM - 12 PM
Hollywood Presbyterian Church, Mears Center: 1760 N. Gower St., Los Angeles, CA 90028
*Representatives from Building & Safety will be available to answer enforcement questions at this meeting.

CRA Begins Historic Resources Inventory

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has begun work on a historic resources inventory within the Hollywood Project Area to update information concerning historically significant properties.  Background research as well as field inspections from the public right-of-way will be conducted.  The goals of the survey are to gain greater knowledge about the historic significance of properties, to improve the decision-making process, and to shape community plans and facilitate environmental review processes.  A workshop is being planned in August.  A date will be forthcoming.  For further information, contact Kip Rudd, CRA Senior Planner, at (323)960 –2660.

KBKG reduces taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits

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

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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.