Newsletter: The Media Messenger

Media Districts Farmer's Market Grand Opening Report

The first ever Media District Farmers' Market was held on March 1, 2002. Joining Johnny Grant as master of ceremonies was our 13th District Councilman Eric Garcetti, and 45th Assembly District representative, Jackie Goldberg to join in the celebration. Also in attendance were 25 members of the Bancroft Middles School's drill team, 90 children from the Hollywood Schoolhouse who brought vegetables from their local community garden to sell at the Farmer's Market.

Many Media District businesses donated raffle prizes given away at the Grand Opening. Gold's Gym donated 3 months of free membership, Stabile Automotive - a $100.00 cash award, Anawalt Lumber - a certificate for $75.00, Honda of Hollywood - 2 carry-all bags, Grub Restaurant - lunch for two, Ammo Restaurant - lunch for 2, Kodak - a camera, Iron Mountain Film & Sound - a goodie bag and Pompea Smith, the Executive Director of SEE-LA, the Farmers' Market operator donated several baskets of fruits and vegetables. Thanks to all of the Media District businesses who generously gave to help make our opening day a success.

HMD board members were thrilled at the opening. Carol Cassella, Renmar Studios remarked, "This is a great opportunity to get my fruits & vegetables for the week end. I'm so happy it's held on Friday!"

The attendance at the Farmer's Market seems to be growing each week. However, several of the farmers who participated the first week dropped out because of low attendance. We have over 30,000 people who live or work in the immediate vicinity of our Market. If 1000 people would attend every Friday, it would be an overwhelming success and be insured of continuing. Please tell your employees and /or clients about our Farmers' Market, every Friday, come rain or shine at 1100 Cole Avenue at Santa Monica Blvd. We will continue contacting businesses to distribute flyers and/or payroll inserts to promote the market.

For those of you who drive to the market, there is non metered parking on the west side of Cahuenga Blvd where you can walk through the park to the market and metered parking on the south side of Santa Monica between Cole & and Lillian Way and metered parking on Wilcox, north of Santa Monica on the east side of the street.

The Media District would like to showcase our businesses at the market on the first Friday of every month. A special booth will be set aside for Media District businesses to display or demonstrate or promote their businesses. Please contact the office if you are able to participate in the market.
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A Success Story

One of our very own Media District businesses was featured in the Los Angles Business Journal this month. Cimarron Group, whose core business is entertainment marketing, including movie trailers, television advertising and home video packing was founded in 1979 with 2 employees. Today Cimarron boasts 130 employees with $25 million in revenue for 2001. Bob Farina is the President of Cimarron Group who recently consolidated their entire operation in 68 Santa Monica Blvd, As we reported last month Mr. Farina generously discounted the construction of the Media District website. Congratulations to Cimarron Group on their continuing success.
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Principal for a Day

Our Media District Board President, Jeff Anthony was Principal for the day at Bancroft Middle School. Jeff is the Vice President of Iron Mountain Film & Sound Archives on Highland Avenue. Bancroft is located on Las Palmas Avenue between Romaine & Willoughby. It is surrounded by the Media District businesses. Over 1500 students attend Bancroft, which is on a traditional calendar (they are off during the summer).

Jeff was greeted with gigantic welcoming banner with his name on it in the morning assembly. Afterward there was a reception in his honor, He spent the day with Mr, Rudy Jimenez, the principal of Bancroft. Jeff said "Frankly, I was surprised and amazed at how clean the school was how well mannered and friendly the students were! Many students came up to me on the playground to say hell and to welcome me to their school. It was great day and it gave me tremendous incite about the operation of a public school. It was clear to me from the beginning of the day, that Principal Jimenez was a take charge guy. The staff, the teachers, and most importantly the students, were all respectful and focused in on the task at hand...providing a safe environment for the kids to learn".

What concerned Jeff the most was the obvious lack of resources at Bancroft. There are too few computers for the number of children at Bancroft. Jeff would like to create a Media District business/school partnership with Bancroft. Every time Iron Mountain replaces a computer, the old one will be donated to Bancroft Middle School. Jeff is also offering to pick up computers & equipment from every Media District business. Iron Mountain will send a truck to your business to transport your old computers & equipment to Bancroft. Resources are so scarce at Bancroft that they can use just about any office/school supplies (pencils. Paper, pens, staplers, construction paper, software, file cabinets, chairs, just about anything.

Please call Iron Mountain at 323-466-9287 and speak to Gabriel Segovia if you have anything that can be donated to Bancroft.

The Management Plan for the Hollywood Media District includes a community outreach element. Jeff urges "Our business improvement district will benefit if the businesses get involved and help contribute to the success of Bancroft and it's students".
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Media District Shadow Project

The Shadow Project is still in the Media District. Take advantage of this wonderful public art display installed by Cameron McNall. The best viewing hours are the last two hours of the day.

Following are the locations where the artwork can be found:

Mark Your Calendars

HMD BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
When: Thursday, April 25, 2002
At: 4pm
Where: Hollywood Center Studios
1040 N. Las Palmas
Call to R.S.V.P

3rd ANNUAL STAKEHOLDERS MEETING
When: Thursday, June 6, 2002, 5pm - 7pm
Where: Iron Mountain Film & Sound
1025 N. Highland Avenue

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Donated Office Space Sought

Hollywood Media District is currently looking for donated office space large enough to accommodate two staff people, within the BID boundaries. We will also need auxiliary equipment and services to share such as use of the copier, kitchen and restrooms. Our current benefactors of space, Pacific Bell, are moving downtown in July of this year. If you have office space to donate, please email Mary Lou Dudas at MDudas@pacbell.net or call 323.460.6322.
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www.hmdbid.org

The Media District website will be on line very soon. Once you have a chance to visit, please call: 323 460 6322 with any suggestions, changes or corrections you may have.
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Special Thanks

We would like to thank Eric Larsen, President of Larsen Consulting, Inc. for donating the necessary software, time & his recent technical help to HMD.

Larsen Consulting, Inc. specialize in the consulting of all areas of technology. Their client list, include several different business areas, from the world of entertainment, such as Sony Pictures & Fox, to financial companies such as Sun America, Onyx Capital to name just a few, extending to law firms, medical offices, retail stores and home users.

You may contact Eric at: 310 650 5400 or e-mail:
elarsen@larsenconsultinginc.com

Discount guaranteed when mentioning this newsletter.
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Activities Report
Through March 31, 2002
(compiled by Langner Security Service)

Graffiti Paint Out Agreement

Your consent is necessary to obliterate graffiti at your site. The Hollywood Beautification Team, through the city, will assist in the acquisition of free paint for your property or paint out graffiti using your paint.

Please make sure that your business or property has a signed Agreement on file. For more information or an Agreement, please contact Lauren at 323.460.4770.
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Questions or Comments

Feel free to contact the Hollywood Media District using the following contact information:

Hollywood Media District
1304 North Highland Avenue #200
Hollywood, CA 90028
Phone:  323.460.6322
Fax:  323.460.6488

Executive Director: Mary Lou Dudas
MDudas@pacbell.net

Assistant: Lauren Larsen
Laurenlw@pacbell.net

Hollywood Media District Field Office
6775 Santa Monica Blvd. #2A
Hollywood, CA 90038
Phone:  323.871.4150
Hours:  7am - 11pm, Mon-Sat

Security Supervisor: James Leonard

Hollywood Media District Property Owners
Association Board of Directors

Jeff Anthony, President - Iron Mountain Film and Sound
Tim Mahoney, Vice-President - Hollywood Center Studios
Eliza Thorne, Secretary - Seward Film Vaults
Don Robertson, Treasurer - Honda of Hollywood
Fred Anawalt - Anawalt Lumber Company
Carol Cassella - RenMar Studios
Morton Lakretz - The Crossroads
Michael Malick - Ramsey Shilling Real Estate
Jacques Massachi - Ori Service Center
Mitzi Mogul - Art Deco Society
Gene La Pietra - Arena Cafe
Brian Scane - The Paladin Group, Inc.
Fares Wehbe - Hollywood Little Red School

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