Kevin DeLeon Gives Chamber Inside Look at Legislative Session

Assistant Majority Leader Kevin DeLeon gave the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce a report on his priority legislation and the financial difficulties in Sacramento at a special “brown bag” luncheon at the Chamber last week.  DeLeon, who represents the 45^th Assembly District which includes most of Hollywood, reported on the successful passage of AB31, which he introduced to direct $400-million in State bond funds to the communities with the greatest need for parks. Of particular interest to Hollywood is a clause he added that would allow freeway cap parks to apply for the funds.  He reported on two other bills that did not pass but which he intends to reintroduce next year – a bill to require hand-gun ammunition to be locked up behind a counter and to limit the sales of ammunition to felons, and a bill that would create a new financial product for people without pension plans and that would be administered by the State pension system, Calpers.  DeLeon also said that he would chair the powerful Appropriations Committee next year.  He explained that the State’s cash flow problems may require delaying payments of bills or going back into session if the State is unable to float notes due to the current financial turmoil in the markets.

City Facing $400-Million Deficit, Needs to Collect Unpaid Bills

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced last week that the worsening financial outlook has resulted in City analysts forecasting that the City faces a budget deficit of $406-million next year – far worse than had been anticipated.  The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, has joined a coalition of other business organizations, including VICA and the L.A. Area Chamber, in calling for the City to improve its collection of bills to help close the funding gap.  The L.A. Budget and Finance Committee gave its approval last week to create a new position to oversee collection of bills.  The motion, introduced by Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Wendy Greuel, is tentatively scheduled to go before the full City Council later this month.  City Controller Laura Chick reported in a June 2007 report that approximately $502-million in bills have gone uncollected over a five-year period.  The unpaid bills include ambulance transportation fees, industrial user permits, police response to false alarms, and expediting planning department cases, among others.

Find Your Future in Your Hand at All Hallows Eve Party

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation’s 7th annual “All Hallow’s Eve” Fundraiser is coming together!  Our top sponsors this year are Farmers Market, Millennium Partners/Argent Ventures, The Clarett Group, Sunset Gower / Sunset Bronson Studios, and Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  The evening will feature food and drinks, magic, cemetery tours, face painting, palm reading, fire-eaters and more!  All in attendance will have the chance to win prizes throughout the night- including a trip for two on Continental Airlines, limousine service to LAX, and weekend stays at a number of LA’s hottest hotels!  We invite you to join us for a night of spooky surprises.  Tickets are $39 available online or by calling Vivian at 323-469-8311. For sponsorship opportunities please email Kaylee Kiecker, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development at kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net. All net proceeds go directly to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation.

L.A. Business Journal Staff Tour Hollywood

Fourteen staffers from the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) toured Hollywood last Friday.  The purpose of the tour, organized by the staff of the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, was to provide the reporters and editors with a first-hand look at the ongoing renaissance of Hollywood within the Hollywood Entertainment District and the Sunset & Vine BID areas.  During the tour, LABJ staff met with area developers and toured projects, including:  JPI’s Heidi Mather and the Jefferson at Hollywood, Legacy Partners Theale “Stormy” Haupt and the Hollywood & Vine project, Palisades Development’s Avi Brosh and Matt Fisher touring Pali House, NCA’s David Nix and Ravi Choudhry and architect Christopher Coe touring the Palladium and a tour of Space 15 Twenty by Root Development’s Cara Mullio and Neil O’Conner.  “Overall it was a great tour and provides us with the opportunity to educate the LABJ staff on both the HED and Sunset & Vine BID,” said Katie Zandona, communications/marketing director for the HPOA.

Bruce Davis Headlines Annual Entertainment Industry Luncheon

Bruce Davis, the executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences will deliver the keynote address at the Hollywood Chamber’s annual Entertainment Industry Luncheon on Wednesday, November 5^th.   He is expected to update attendees on the status of their planned Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and other Academy projects.  The Chamber will also be presenting the Hollywood Star Award to A.C. Lyles of Paramount Pictures, recognizing his 80-years of service to the industry.  The luncheon will be held at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, 1755 Highland Ave., with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Advance reservations are $75 per person or $800 for a table of 10.  A limited number of sponsorships are also still available by contacting Kaylee Kiecker at the Chamber.  Presenting sponsors include The Hollywood Reporter, Iron Mountain Film & Storage, and Paramount Pictures.  Other supporting sponsors include:  Andrews International Security, Paramount Contractors, Ramsey-Shilling Commercial Real Estate, and Sunset Gower & Sunset Bronson Studios.

Hollywood Chamber’s “Police And Firefighters Appreciation BBQ”

Please join us in supporting the Chamber’s effort to show appreciation to Hollywood’s police and firefighters who continuously risk their lives to protect communities throughout Los Angeles. Each year, we give back to these local heroes by providing a fun day of great BBQ food, raffle prizes and heartfelt thanks at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Hollywood Division station, 1358 North Wilcox. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and ask for your participation. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking volunteers to come out and show thanks by helping us serve the more than 200 police and firefighters. We are also seeking partners who are able to offer food, small monetary donations, and/or gift certificates to be raffled off to the officers and firefighters. This is event provides excellent exposure for donors as it includes visits from the media, local legislators, and appreciative celebrities!  For more information on how to get involved, please contact Kaylee Kiecker at kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net.

Sandella Celebrated Grand Opening in Hollywood

Sandella’s Flatbread Café held its Grand Opening on Sunday October 12th and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce staff was on hand to help with the ribbon cutting ceremony. Sandella’s offers a variety of wraps, panini’s, flatbread, soups and salads. One the largest and fastest growing flatbread concept in the world, Sandella’s soon plan on offering a breakfast menu as well. Founded in 1994 in West Redding Connecticut, Sandella’s Flatbread is an upscale, fast casual Café serving premium quality, health-conscious and great tasting menu items served on Sandellas proprietary brick oven flatbread. The concept incorporates the hottest trends in the fast casual segment, offering consumers fresh, hot and healthy menu items. Its all about the taste and the experience - premium products, in a warm and upscale fast casual setting! Owner Vahe Karamardian expressed excitement over the great first week they have had and also his gratitude to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for their support. Sandella's is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. #205 in Hollywood. Be sure to go pick up lunch there real soon!

First Dual Ceremony on Walk of Fame for a Husband and Wife

The first dual ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for a husband and wife will take place this Thursday when popular producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner will be honored in front of the Egyptian Theatre at 11:30 a.m.  While dual ceremonies have been held for co-stars of shows, this is the first time that one will occur for a couple.  Richard Donner is the director/producer behind some of the most successful movies in the last 20 years, including the Lethal Weapon series, Superman, and The Omen.  Films produced by Shuler Donner have grossed more than $2.5-billion and include the successful X Men franchise.

Meet Commander Downing at Green Door Next Tuesday

Green Door nightclub invites Hollywood Chamber members to join Police Commander Michael Downing on Tuesday, October 21 for a performance of UK sensation Emma-Jane Thommen. www.emma-janethommen.co.uk Doors open at 10pm with no cover charge for member of the Hollywood Chamber! Green Door is located at 1429 North Ivar Avenue. For reservations or bottle service, please contact Cherie Salazar at 323-332-8146. We look forward to seeing you, along with Commander Mike Downing, at the Green Door next Tuesday!

Enjoy Hollywood Fall Carnival this weekend!

Blessed Sacrament Church will sponsor its annual Hollywood Fall Carnival this weekend, October 17^th to 19^th.  This is the 55^th year for the annual event, which raises funds for Blessed Sacrament School and their social service programs.  For more information, go to:  carnival@blessedsacramenthollywood.org.

Support
Hollywood’s
Hail-A-Taxi
Pilot Program

A six-month test program is underway in central Hollywood and Downtown to see if there is enough demand by passengers to make a permanent policy allowing people to hail taxis. The Chamber, a strong proponent of the new policy, encourages its members to help make the test a success by taking advantage of the opportunity to hail taxis.

Talk to Marty:
Addiction Counseling Services (213)500-8865 • Take $50 dollars off first visit!

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.