From the Editor

Nyla Arslanian

Even though Hollywood celebrated its Centennial in 1987, it would be thir ty-five years before the Hollywood today would turn 100 icon by icon. Each year more celebrations are added. We’ve hit the magic mark; you could say we ’ve come of age.

Count them: The Hollywood Bowl, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Warner Bros., Disney (yes it was born in Hollywood), and the grandest or at least the most visible of them all the Hollywood Sign.

The famous sign looms over our community and while originally a real estate development advertisement, today it not only marks the place, it represents an industr y and, when not differentiating its reach, the City of Los Angeles Next to the other icons of California its beaches and the Golden Gate the Hollywood Sign also symbolizes the American dream.

Filmmaker and Art Historian, Brian Chidester, shares the phenomenal story of Eden Ahbez How he was able to get the attention of Nat “King” Cole, then a new artist with Capitol Records, rests among the lore of Hollywood and its sign. (It is said that for a time, Ahbez actually lived under the “L ”) He never reaped the fortune he could have, but deserves fame for the classic and beloved song “Nature Boy” which has become a musical standard. It set the scene in the Baz Luhrmann film Moulin Rouge It is possible to achieve immortality.

Other creators have left their mark on this place and its culture, and architect Frank Lloyd Wright Jr. is one. Eclipsed by his famous father, Lloyd Wright made Los Angeles his home and, in addition to his more notable commissions, designed smaller homes throughout the area The Bollman House in Sunset Square is one. It also turned 100 this year. David Jameson profiles this noted, and oft overlooked, architect.

We’ve been through challenging times and our young people have felt the brunt of it Hollywood is a wonderful community of caring and three organizations serving its youth are making a difference LACER, Hollywood PAL, and Living Advantage are worthy of support for the splendid work they do.

Lastly, there’s no stopping The Hollywood Partnership initiating new projects to improve the central core of Hollywood Opening their Dispatch Center was just the first step As you will find in the article, they have several projects under way to benefit residents, visitors, merchants, and property owners It’s exciting to track their progress.

As we wrap this celebrator y issue, we note that while the road has been a bit bumpy, change is in the wind We’re excited that Hollywood has fresh, new city, county and state leaders who have already shown their support. There’s only one way to go and that’s up.

Hooray for Hollywood Here’s to 100 more!

Nyla Arslanian

Discover Hollywood is published quarterly by Arslanian & Associates, Inc.

Oscar Arslanian, President

Direct advertising inquiries and correspondence to: Discover Hollywood Magazine 5419 Hollywood Blvd , Suite C717 Hollywood, CA 90027 323-465-0533 or email oscar@discoverhollywood com