Working for YOU …

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is constantly working to create a strong economy and to promote Hollywood.  Here is a sample of what we did last week:

• Presented actress Cameron Diaz with the 2,386^th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• Placed flowers on the stars of celebrities who passed away in the past week, including Michael Jackson, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Gale Storm, and Fred Travalena.

• Wrote Councilmembers Garcetti and LaBonge, seeking their assistance to extend parking hours in the evenings to 2 hours in central Hollywood.

• Sponsored the 15^th annual Hollywood Economic Development Summit, with more than 300 attending to learn the very latest about development in Hollywood.

• Helped celebrate the opening of the new weekly Farmers’ Market at Barnsdall Park, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

• Continued planning a “Familiarization Trip” for San Francisco news media to see Hollywood’s latest attractions and for a “Locals Only” promotion in October to encourage Southern Californians to visit Hollywood.

• Helped with Project YIMBY Connect Day at the Music Box Theatre to assist local homeless in finding needed services.

• Continues researching a Prescription Discount Card for Chamber members.

Hollywood in Mourning

Five of Hollywood’s Walk of Famers passed away in the recent week and a half.  The Hollywood Historic Trust in concert with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce placed memorial flower sprays on the stars of Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Fred Travalena and Gale Storm. The placement of flowers is a widely recognized tribute made on behalf of the Hollywood community. Thousands of fans and press descended on the Michael Jackson star to pay tribute at his star located at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.  The Chamber thanks the Hollywood Division LAPD, CIM Group, Andrews International Security, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with helping us maintain order during this sad time and for allowing tourists and locals to visit the star.

Summit Details Impact of Entertainment Industry on Hollywood

One of the Hollywood Chamber’s most popular annual events, the Hollywood Economic Development Summit, was held again at the ArcLight Cinemas and drew rave reviews.  This year’s speakers focused on how the entertainment industry is driving the revitalization of Hollywood.  The keynote speaker was the chief brand officer for Starwood Hotels, Phil McAveety, who told the crowd that Hollywood was about as close to a perfect location as could be found for a new W Hotel.  Victor Coleman, the head of Hudson Capital, explained why his firm had acquired more than 28 acres of studio property in Hollywood.  A panel of experts also discussed their projects, including David Green of Nederlander West Coast, Adrian Jones of Madame Tussauds, Jerry Nadel of Cirque Du Soleil, and Rick Mueller of Live Nation/California.  City Council President Eric Garcetti kicked off the meeting by announcing that entitlements had been approved for a new Target Store in Hollywood.  The annual update on the status of Hollywood Development Projects was also distributed.  Copies are available at the Chamber office for any Chamber member.  The Summit is organized and sponsored by the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee, chaired by George Abou-Daoud of Bowery Enterprises and Marty Shelton of NAI Capital.

State Budget Impasse May Result in IOUs This Thursday

With the State Legislature and the Governor at loggerheads, there is a good chance that the State Controller will begin issuing IOUs, starting this Thursday.  The State is facing a $24-billion deficit, and is supposed to adopt a budget by midnight tonight.  For information about how IOUs might affect the business community, we are happy to reprint the following information from the San Francisco Chronicle.

Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center Kicks Off Farmers Market at Barnsdall Art Park

A new farmers market is now open in the Barnsdall Art Park parking lot at 4800 Hollywood Blvd from noon-6 p.m. every Wednesday. In a unique partnership with the City of Los Angeles' Barnsdall Art Park and the Model Neighborhood Program, Kaiser Permanente’s Los Angeles Medical Center is sponsoring a weekly community farmers market. The kick-off celebration offered health screenings, face painting booth, musical entertainment, and great fresh food. Nutrition and fitness instructions, as well as basic health screenings and information will be available on a rotating basis. "We take our role as a health care provider in this community to heart. This Farmers Market is an ideal way to provide the community with healthier food options and information about leading a healthy lifestyle," said Mark Costa, LAMC executive director and Hollywood Chamber board member. “The goal of the LAMC Farmers Market is not only to increase access to healthy foods but to promote the incorporation of healthy food into a healthy lifestyle.” We invite all of our members to come out and support this new program designed to help the community make healthier food choices.

Fresh 'n Easy Hosts Special Event at Roosevelt Poolside

On June 24th Fresh 'n Easy hosted a poolside party at the Roosevelt Hotel. The event was a chance for the Hollywood Community to get to know Fresh and Easy and also to celebrate the recent layout changes of the store, which resulted in adding one thousand items to their stock, including a wonderful selection of wine, beer and spirits. In attendance were Hollywood Chamber of Commerce board members, community members and leaders, and Executives from Fresh and Easy. All of whom had a wonderful evening of conversation and tasty food prepared by Fresh 'n Easy’s very own Chef Mike Ainslie.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce welcomes Fresh and Easy as a new member and congratulates them on their recent one year anniversary here in Hollywood!

Chamber's Tourism Committee Plans Hollywood Promotion Package for Locals

In an effort to attract ‘local visitors’ to Hollywood, the Chamber’s tourism committee is working on a promotion for local residents of the 5 county area.  The Locals Promotion will allow residents to take advantage of 50% off admission into a handful of exiting attractions during the month of October.  As locals often play the role of travel ambassadors, several members have recognized the value that this promotion will bring them.  The following partners will be offering 50% off admission during the month of October to local residents:

• Hollywood Wax Museum

• Starline Tours

• Madame Tussauds

• Guinness Museum

• Laserium

• Dearly Departed Tours

• Hollywood Museum at Max Factor

• Pantages Theatre

• American Cinematheque at the Egyptian

• Ripley’s Museum

• LA Active Adventures

Other partners and a variety of offers will be announced shortly.  A press release will go out next week to announce this exciting promotion.  If you would like more information about getting involved, please contact kaylee@hollywoodchamber.net

Act Now to Help Small Businesses Secure Government Contracting Opportunities

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce urges you to contact your Member of Congress and urge their support of H.R. 2568, the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act, which mandates the removal of large firms from federal small business contracting programs.

The federal government is required to spend 23 percent of the total value of all federal procurement dollars with legitimate small businesses. Despite this requirement, the Government has repeatedly allowed federal small business contracts to be directed to Fortune 500 corporations, their subsidiaries and other large firms in the United States and Europe. In fact, the last small business classification report completed by the Small Business Administration in 2002 found 44 out of the top 1,000 contractors were not small businesses.

H.R. 2568 will modify the definition of a small business as stated in the Small Business Act by including the additional requirement that no publicly traded business concern be qualified as a small business. This means that any publicly traded business concern, subsidiary of a publicly traded business concern, foreign owned business concern, or subsidiary of a foreign owned business concern can no longer be counted as a small business for the purpose of government contracting and subcontracting, including for procurement goals.

Since 2003, there have been over a dozen federal investigations which have found fraud, abuse, loopholes and a lack of oversight in federal small business contracting programs. Every year, these abuses cost the small business community billions of dollars and force legitimate small businesses to close their doors for good. 

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce asks our members to please contact your Members of Congress and ask that they support H.R. 2568, the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act.

For your convenience, we have supplied this draft letter that may be sent to your Member of Congress.

For further information on this bill, please contact the Chamber’s VP of Public Policy, Nicole Shahenian at Nicole@hollywoodchamber.net.

You're Invited to a Cap Park Community-Wide Meeting

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, City Council Member Tom LaBonge, Assembly Member Kevin DeLeon, Assembly Member Mike Feuer, CRA/LA Hollywood and Friends of the Hollywood Cap Park invite all Hollywood Stakeholders to a Cap Park Community-Wide Meeting featuring USC School of Architecture Master Landscape Studio Class Presentations* and plenty of Park Updates! View the Cap Park community meeting invitation here.

Saturday, July 11, 2009, 9-11AM
Historic Fountain Court
1370 North St. Andrews Place, Hollywood
(inside the Assistance League of Southern California)

PARKING: Parking available in the lot behind the building and just south of the building at St. Andrews and Fernwood + street parking also available

*USC School of Architecture Master Landscape Studio Class used the Cap Park as their semester project. You will be inspired by their excellent thinking, creativity and vision for YOUR PARK!

You're Invited to BBQ at the Hollywood Hot Spot

On July 8th, Council President Garcetti's office will be hosting the Hollywood Hot Spot BBQ, a fun event for local teenagers with free food, a live DJ, mobile skate park, and the chance to hang out with other high school-aged people from the neighborhood. Join the fun at Helen Bernstein High - 1309 N. Wilton Place, Hollywood CA at the upper quad - from 4 to 7PM. Find out what exciting programs will be offered this summer at Hollywood Hot Spot!

Starting July 8th, the Hollywood Hot Spot hits our neighborhood! Learn how to play the drums, guitar, and more with our Rock Band Sessions happening Wednesday to Friday 4 p.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday 1p.m.-7 p.m.

Come to our Urban Art Workshops from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to learn how to paint with acrylic, oil, and spray paints.

In conjunction with Nike and their Breakfast Club (Runs and Games at the Montalban at 10 a.m. on Sundays), field games will be happening at Helen Bernstein High School most Sundays from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. as well.

Throughout the summer, Generation Obama LA will also be hosting movie screenings, DJ-ing workshops, and much more. If you are interested in participating in any events please sign up with Charlotte at c13int02@lacity.org or 323-957-4500.

Avoid up to 40 percent in Tax penalties with Amnesty

Through July 31, 2009 businesses with unpaid taxes or under reported gross receipts or those who have not registered with the Office of Finance can benefit from the City of Los Angeles Tax Penalty Amnesty Program. To take advantage of the amnesty program call the L.A. Tax Amnesty Hotline at (213) 978-1555 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or go to www.lacity.org/finance/amnesty/ for more information.

Exhibit at LA's Largest Mixer at The Shrine

The 11th annual L.A.'s Largest Mixer will be held at The Shrine Auditorium Expo Center on Thursday, July 23, 2009 from 5 - 9 p.m. Become an exhibitor at this year's Ultimate Business Networking Event! With over 30 LA area chambers of commerce participating and thousands of attendees expected, the LA Mixer will certainly be the networking event of the year! Space is limited and tables will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Take advantage of a special offer when you to participate in a Largest Mixer® Exclusive: The 710 ESPN Exhibitor Package! If you have ever thought about advertising your company on the radio, now is your chance with the 710 ESPN Exhibitor Package. The program is simple: Purchase a booth at L.A.'s Largest Mixer® and then, take advantage of the opportunity to add ten 60-second ESPN radio commercials for just $550. That's ten :60 commercials all about YOUR business! There's no better deal around to get real advertising exposure than on this top Southern California radio station. What's best, all commercial production is included! Hurry, only 7 ESPN packages left. Please feel free to call us at 323.230.5656 or visit http://www.lamixer.com for more information. For exhibitor packages and pricing, please visit http://www.largestmixer.com/lamixer/exhibitor-registration.php for further information.

Take Advantage of Hollywood Chamber's
Free Business Counseling Service
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.