Are you in the spirit yet? Or, are you kind of "Bah Humbugging" it? The stores are starting to fill up with shoppers, the decorations are all around us, the weather is even crisp and cool...all ingredients for Holiday fun...sure to even get to those among us who aren't "feeling it" quite yet!!

But first, let's take a little time to check out the newsletter and see what kind of "holiday shenanigans" our "NoHo" community is up to this week!

A Word...Or Two...Or Three...

By ds stringer

CEO

"PARKING IN LOS ANGELES"

The holiday season always, unfortunately, brings some headaches along with the fun and good times. One of those headaches results from trying to find a parking space when Christmas shoppoing, going to dinner or a movie, or really going anywhere that requires you to park your car.

The parking nightmare that is creating my holiday headache lately is... parking lots that don't allow me to leave because their, how shall I say...

"Pay To Park" doesn't work...!!

Ex: I get my parking ticket validated and then it's not accepted at the gate...therefore the gate won't go up and I can't leave

OR...

The parking gate doesn't accept my credit card and I'm stuck there while the parking attendants figure out what to do (FYI...I only carry one credit card with me and so their suggestion for me to try a new card doesn't work...).

These situations, and more, have happened enough times, (the most recent, last night), that I thought, you know, I must comment about them.

In Los Angeles, where there is practically no free parking, and in shopping malls or large shopping arenas, where there are big lots and plenty of parking, but you must pay to park there...can we at least expect that the attendants will know what to do and the ticket taking/ credit card accepting machinery will work?

Parking structures in places like the Americana in Glendale, or the Paseo Colorado in Pasadena have these huge conglomerations to house our cars, where we agree to pay (a huge amount). The parking garage company agrees to keep our cars relatively safe (don't get me started on that!) while we shop, or go to a move or a restaurant. AND...we will also be able to leave the garage when we're ready in a timely manner without any drama.

How many times have you been stuck behind a car that's trying to pay to leave the garage...or has no idea how to put in the ticket? How many times have YOU been that person?

Where are the parking attendants? And the ones that ARE there...I can never understand. And the attendant I had to deal with last night...rude as can be!!!

I would like to see easily explained ways to pay the fee and polite attendants that handle your problems quickly with great attitudes Too much to ask?

In this season of love and joy...but also some stress filled moments, it would be nice if one of those moments doesn't include trying to escape the captors in the parking garage.

Please...owners of parking garages...listen to my plea! Fix this situation! Let me park, get a ticket, get it validated, pay the difference and get outta there!! I've got a million presents I have to get home to wrap!! I don't have time to sit captive in a parking garage!

On behalf of the Universal City/North Hollywood

Chamber of Commerce

Dorothy Stringer

Dorothy Stringer

CEO

Last week, we ha an article in our newsletter that spoke of the real ID due date approaching...May 3rd, to be exact.

The state of California has changed that date as of last Monday. The new due date is now May 2025...BUT...don't procrastinate! Get your paperwork together and get your real ID taken care of today!!

Copy and paste www.dhs.gov/real-id for more info

FUN COMMUNITY EVENTS FROM THE CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY

of the VALLEY!!

Some very cool, fun, holiday community events coming up from our friends and Chamber members at the Church of Scientology of the Valley. There is everything here from ugly Christmas sweaters to Minoras.! Two fliers with all of the info you need is included in this article.

Enjoy your holidays with our friends from the COSOTV!

Game Show Network is at it again!! Here's another fun opportunity to be a part of a new game show where you have a chance to win...
10 GRAND!!

All you need is a team of three...it could be your family, your neighbors, your co-workers...any team of three will work!

Sounds like an interesting way to have a good time...and win money too!!

Grab the info from the included flier!! Good Luck!!

TODAY IS...NATIONAL BROWNIE DAY!!!

Delicious, ooooey, gooey chocolate or blondie, nuts or no nuts, walnuts or pecans,chocolate chips or caramel...or no chips at all...it doesn't matter!! Today is the day to indulge! Go to your favorite store or coffee house (where they all have brownies available) and buy yourself a brownie! Go on...you've worked hard...you deserve it!!

OUR SMALL WAY OF SAYING "THANK YOU!"

Welcome to "Spectrum!" They are our newest Chamber members and we can't begin to tell you how excited we are to have them as part of our family! We look forward to working with them in 2023 and we can't wait to see what kind of offers are available for our Chamber members!

If you would like to contact "Spectrum," you can email them at spectrum.com

WINTER FUN AWAITS!!!

Just a reminder...the time is getting close for everyone to enjoy some family fun in a winter wonderland right here in our own backyard! Is this event on your calendar? if not...well, heck why isn't it? It should be!!