Park Feasibility Study Presented to Community

Assemblymembers Mike Feuer and Kevin DeLeon.

A public unveiling was held last week at the new Helen Bernstein High School to brief the community on the results of the EDAW feasibility study to create a public park of up to 44 acres above the Hollywood Freeway, where it passes below grade through Hollywood.  An enthusiastic crowd listened attentively to the details, as well as messages of support from Assemblymembers Kevin DeLeon and Feuer, and from Councilman Tom LaBonge.  Don Scott, who has chaired the Chamber committee to create the cap park for the past three years, also announced that a new nonprofit entity is being formed to take the park effort to the next level.  The new nonprofit will take the lead on fundraising and securing funds for an environmental impact report and design.  The Chamber will continue to be a strong supporter of the park effort. Click here to view the EDAW Feasibility Report.

DOT Official Addresses Hollywood Parking Issues

Amir Sedadi, assistant general manager of the L.A. Dept. of Transportation (DOT), addressed the Hollywood Chamber Board of Directors last week.  He announced that bid documents will be released in December for the long-awaited, 457-space Vine Street parking garage, adjacent to the Nosotros Theatre.  Construction start on the project is expected in 2009.  He also reported the DOT has issued a request for information from parties interested in a public-private partnership to develop the City’s Wilcox-Schrader parking lot.   He also distributed information to the board on DOT’s pilot program with new parking pay stations along Hollywood Blvd. that will allow people to use their credit cards to make payments.  He noted that parking meter rates have increased to $2 per hour, and that it had been 17 years since the last increase in the parking fee.

Celebrate the Holiday with Chamber’s Mixer & Toy Drive at The Music Box

The Chamber’s Holiday Mixer will be once again generously hosted by one of Hollywood’s most historic entertainment venues, The Music Box @ Fonda -  on the “speakeasy” rooftop. Share the joy of the season by bringing a new, unwrapped, toy (or appropriate gift) valued at $10 or more in lieu of an admission fee. Collected items will be distributed in cooperation with the Los Angeles Fire Department's (Hollywood station) annual toy drive. The Holiday Mixer will be held on Wednesday, December 10th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost to attend the mixer is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Bring a toy for your free admission and help make the holidays brighter for the children of our community. The Music Box @ the Fonda is located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd. No-host parking is available in the adjacent Sunshine lot west of the venue. Click to RSVP or email steven@hollywoodchamber.net or call (323) 469-8311.

Festive Holiday Lights Again Add Cheer to Hollywood

Hollywood Boulevard is again festooned with holiday decorations, in a program that is annually coordinated and primarily financed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.  Also helping to underwrite the program this year was the Hollywood Entertainment District and the Hollywood Historic Trust.  Their contributions enabled the decorations to be expanded to include the wrapping of 100 palm trees along the Boulevard and the addition of two new Hollywood shooting stars to bring the total to 24, clustered around the intersections of Hollywood and Highland and Hollywood and Vine Street.

Sir Tim Rice Honored With Star on Walk of Fame

Sir Tim Rice was honored with the 2,375^th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last Thursday in front of the Pantages Theatre.  A talented songwriter, he is known worldwide for his contribution to such productions as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Aladdin, The Lion King, and many other productions.

Vermont Triangle Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Members of the Hollywood community joined Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Tom Labonge, the Hollywood Arts Council, and the Community Redevelopment Agency’s official opening of the Vermont Triangle.  The project is the first phase of a larger project by the Community Redevelopment Agency to spend $800,000 improving the area of Vermont Ave. between Hollywood and Sunset Blvds. to make it a more inviting pedestrian thoroughfare. The Vermont Triangle is located at the intersection of Vermont Avenue, Hollywood Blvd and Prospect Avenue on the North.

The City of Los Angeles presents the 2008 Hollywood Holiday
Featuring Winterfest and the Santa Parade on November 30, 2008, at 5pm. Members Offered Special Rate on Parade Grandstand Seats

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 30th, 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. Please check the web for updated information from the City of Los Angeles. Please contact them to learn when you can see it on TV.

Chamber Presents Holiday Gift to Community

The Hollywood community and Chamber members will be treated to a free screening of a classic holiday movie this year, thanks to sponsorship by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.  Scrooge, the holiday 1970s classic film starring Albert Finney, will be screened on Saturday, December 20th, at 2 p.m. at the historic Egyptian Theatre.  Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  This is the second year that the Chamber has collaborated with American Cinematheque to present a “gift” to the community.  Last year, the movie A Christmas Story, was screened.  “The Chamber is pleased to be able to do something special for the community during the holidays,” said Chamber President Leron Gubler.  “We invite our members to attend and enjoy the screening.”

Red Line Extends Operating Hours During the Holiday Season

In an effort to encourage more people to take public transportation, Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, and Jose Huizar have worked with Metro to launch a pilot program that will extend the operating hours of the Red Line throughout the Holiday Season. The pilot program will operate on weekends from November 21st through December 27th. The Metro which currently ends services at midnight, will remain open until 3 am on Friday and Saturday nights for the duration of the program. The pilot program has been made possible by coalition of business and community stakeholders who have committed funding to operate Metro service for the extended hours. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce encourages you to use Metro when visiting Hollywood this holiday season!

Plans for 16th Annual Women of Distinction Kick Off

The Hollywood Chamber Community Foundation is planning the 16th Annual Women of Distinction fundraiser which will be held on May 7, 2009. Nominations are now being accepted for Women of Distinction and Golden Award through January 16, 2009. Complete the Nomination Form for Women of Distinction 2009. 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.

Complete this Survey and Voice Your Business Issues

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce encourages your participation in the following survey being conducted by The LA County Business Federation (BizFed) to discover the key issues affecting your business operations in Los Angeles County. This is your opportunity to have a say in shaping the collective advocacy and education work of more than 64 business organizations representing over 100,000 businesses throughout Los Angeles County. The survey will only take about 8-10 minutes to complete! Simply click on the link and you will be prompted through the survey. The online survey will only be activated for a few weeks. Your voice matters. The need for the collective voice of business to shape policies affecting our economy could not be more urgent!
Quick action is required! CLICK HERE to take the survey.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce would like to wish chamber members and the community a Happy Thanksgiving. Our Offices will be closed at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 26 and reopen on Monday, December 1, 2008

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.

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.