Goldberg Pledges to Complete Hollywood Community Plan

L.A. City Planning Director Gail Goldberg met with Chamber representatives last week to discuss the long-awaited Hollywood Community Plan.  She explained that delays have been caused due to the Traffic Study and Environmental Impact Report that are in process.  The Hollywood Plan is the first community plan to come forward since Goldberg came to the City, and will reflect her input to make the plan a more useful document to guide future development within Hollywood.  The Chamber expressed concerns that delays in getting the plan completed are creating problems for developments that are in the pipeline.  She said that she expected the plan to be ready for public hearings in the February to March 2009 timeframe, and that it should be adopted by the City Council before the end of that year. Pictured are from left board members George Abou Daoud, Chair Mark Panatier, Laurie Goldman and Marty Shelton with Gail Goldberg (center).

Chamber Engages City on Housing Policy

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce met last week with L.A. Deputy Mayor Helmi Hisserich to discuss the Mayor’s proposed new $5-billion, five-year housing plan.  She noted there is a need for 13,000 new housing units per year in the City.  In particular, the City is falling behind in providing an adequate supply of affordable and workforce housing.  A key part of the Mayor’s proposal is to create a Mixed-Income Housing Policy to create a better balance in the housing mix.  More than 170 jurisdictions in California already have such policies.  A Mixed-Income Housing Policy is often referred to as Inclusionary Zoning, which has previously engendered strong opposition from the development community, worried that the added costs would make projects financially unfeasible.  “We’re sensitive to the costs, but want to tell the private market that you have to engage on this topic,” stressed Hisserich.  She said that she is in the early stages of developing incentives to make such a policy workable for developers and welcomed Chamber input.  Marty Shelton, who chaired the meeting, said that the Chamber would look forward to working with the City on the issue.

During Tough Times, Find Out How to Grow Your Business

Opportunity for Challenging Times - Growing Business Roundtable Provides Free Information & Advice!

On Friday November 14th the Chamber's growing (small) businesses are invited to attend an open discussion "roundtable" with SCORE counselor Richard Krelstein. SCORE, a resource partner with the U.S. Small Businesses Administration (SBA), is a nonprofit association dedicated to counseling, mentoring and training small businesses.  Mr. Krelstein will be available to answer questions, offer advice, and discuss ways to deal with the challenging economic climate facing businesses today. The event will be held at the Chamber offices, 7018 Hollywood Boulevard, from 8:00a.m. to 9:00 a.m. There is no charge to attend.  Continental breakfast will be served.  Discounted valet parking is available at the Roosevelt Hotel (enter via Orange).  Space is limited - please RSVP to vivian@hollywoodchamber.net, or call (323) 469-8311 x11.

Chamber Members Invited to Hip Opening of Metropolitan Hollywood

Hollywood's hippest pad Metropolitan Hollywood invites Chamber members and a guest to explore the revival of the Hollywood pad and enjoy a great networking opportunity on Tuesday, November 11, 6-8pm at 5825 W. Sunset Blvd. RSVP: Hollywoodchamber@wjagency.com.

Sunset Blvd. Future to be Aired at Urban Design Open House

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) is creating an urban design plan for Sunset Blvd. and the surrounding area.  They are hosting an open house this Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the community to gather input on what type of neighborhood should be created along Sunset Blvd.  The meeting will be held at the new Helen Bernstein High School, 1309 N. Wilton Place.  For more information or reservations, phone (323)960-2660.

City to Present Winterfest and Santa Parade

The City of Los Angeles is sponsoring a children’s celebration and Santa Parade on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Chamber members have been offered discounted grandstand tickets to the Parade, which will occur on Sunday, November 30^th, at 5 p.m.  Regular ticket prices are $35 each, but the discounted price for Chamber members is $30 per ticket. To get the discount, members must call their order in to 866-PARADE1 and tell them they are a chamber member. On the same day, beginning at 12 noon, Lift Up America in partnership with Radio Disney AM 1110 will sponsor Winterfest, a festival for 3,000 local children on Hollywood Blvd.  Although the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is no longer affiliated with the Parade, it encourages the community to support this worthwhile event.  For further information, go to www.hollywoodsantaparade.com.

Community Meeting Set to Report on Park Feasibility Study

The highly-anticipated feasibility study on the proposed Hollywood Freeway Central Park has been completed and will be made available for public comment at a community meeting that is being planned for November 18th, 6-8pm at Helen Bernstein High School. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Tom Labonge, Assemblymember Kevin de León, Assemblymember Mike Feuer, CRA/LA & Hollywood Freeway Central Park Coalition invite all Hollywood stakeholders to the Final Community Meeting to release the completed Hollywood Freeway Central Park Feasibility Study. Learn about the final feasibility study and share your thoughts on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008, 6 to 8 pm at Helen Bernstein High School, 1309 N. Wilton Place, Hollywood, CA 90028. Parking is available in structure. Entrance on Fountain Ave. Please join us! EDAW consultants will present their study and explain the reasoning behind their recommendations. This is a neighborhood project. Your support is important. Refreshments will be served. RSVP Nicole Shahenian. Phone (323) 469-8311 or email: nicole@hollywoodchamber.net. English/Spanish

Chamber to be Honored by LACER

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is being honored by LACER, Hollywood’s afterschool program, at the nonprofit agency’s annual fundraising brunch on Sunday, November 16th at The Highlands Hollywood, Hollywood & Highland  LACER has been a long-time member of the Hollywood Chamber serving the youth of Los Angeles since 1995. More than 2,900 middle and high school students benefit from LACER’s free arts and literacy-based after school programs each year. Members who wish to support the Chamber and LACER are encouraged to attend this 13th Annual Super-Star Celebration.  The Highlands Hollywood is located at 6801 Hollywood Blvd., 4th floor. Brunch and silent auction will be held 10:30am to 12 Noon followed by performances and awards from 12:30pm to 2pm. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or reservations, please visit www.lacerstars.org or call 323-957-6481.

Chamber Co-Sponsors Staying Open for Business Seminar

For small business owners, being prepared can mean staying in business following a disaster. LA Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presents Small Business Council Summit 2008 - Staying Open For Business on Thursday, November 6, 8am - 1:30pm at L.A. Area Chamber, 350 S. Bixel Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018. The materials and resources offered at the Small Business Summit will help you make plans to recover from financial losses and business interruption as well as protect your employees and their families. RSVP now at www.lachamber.com/events

United States Air Force Goes Hollywood!

Air Force Week Los Angeles 2008, the weeklong festival kicking off November 14, 2008 running through the 21st, is designed to showcase the United States Air Force and recognize the importance of service members and the community that supports them.  Events to be held include, a three-day Air Force Expo at the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood. This starts with a Grand Proclamation Ceremony by Local Dignitaries, Los Angeles VIPs, select Air Force officials and distinguished guests. As part of the ceremony,  the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Leron Gubler will present a ceremonial replica star  to a General. Following that event a spectacular display of air power during the proclamation over the plaza will spotlight the courtyard Friday, November 14th at 10:30 a.m. The ceremonies include the Air Force Marching Band and the incredible precision rifle-bearing Honor Guard. The balconies will be filled with local school children and The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as well as Generals and Commanders.

The Air Force will also be highlighting the large number (44) of former Airmen who have received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Posters containing the Airmen of Fame photos and bios will be on display at Hollywood and Highland during the Expo. For more information look at the website www.airforceweeklosangeles.com.

MEMBER ALERT! 

WARNING - If you receive, or have received, an e-mail from SmartGuy.com, Smartguyerica.com, or note the web address www.graphicaldreams.com, please do not open or respond.  The message is not from a Chamber member, and was sent without authorization from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

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.

City of Los Angeles Technology & Education Summit
Wednesday, November 12, 7:30am-3:30pm
at the Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Randi Levin, Chief Technology Officer & General Manager and the City of Los Angeles would like to welcome you to attend the City of Los Angeles Technology & Education Summit coming to the Los Angeles Convention Center Concourse Hall on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008. The conference hours are 7:30am-3:30pm, registration opens at 7:00am. Registration is complimentary for you, courtesy of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of the City of Los Angeles Technology & Education Summit is to support education, economic development, and the proliferation of information technology. You will enjoy the demonstrations, networking, and presentations. To register for complimentary admission, please visit www.techedsummit.com and enter Discount Code CA08-HOLLYWOOD. If you have registration questions, please contact (503) 625-5300 or wss@paramountworldgroup.com or visit or visit www.theitsummit.com.

HALLOWEEN CANDY-FOR-CLEANING PROGRAM.

KBKG reduces taxes with Enterprise Zone Tax Credits

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

Click here for Chamber Member News, Events and Discount Offers

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.