Why I Love Hollywood
Discover Hollywood Special Report by Dave Koz
“M
y connection to Hollywood goes back as far as I can remember, having been born and living my whole life in Los Angeles. My parents moved to Southern California from their native Winnipeg, Canada in the early 60’s…so everything LA was completely new and exciting for them…and they most definitely passed that energy on to my brother, sister and me as we grew up. That of course, meant spending lots of time in Hollywood—seeing concerts in the summer at The Hollywood Bowl, going on Sunday afternoon walks along Hollywood Blvd looking at the Walk Of Fame stars, catching movies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater and shows at The Pantages. We loved every minute of our “Hollywood” experiences as a family. I mean, there wasn’t anything like that in Winnipeg, that’s for sure! Many years later, getting signed to a recording contract with Capitol Records and visiting the iconic tower on Vine Street every so often added a whole other touchpoint to Hollywood for me…just walking into that fabled round building gave me goosebumps, and recording in the same studio as Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, The Beach Boys and countless others—it was almost like a storybook—I could hardly believe it was happening to me! And then, in September, 2009, I received my very own star on the Walk of Fame, right in front of Capitol. Sadly, my parents were already gone for that ‘pinch me’ full-circle moment. But I felt them there that sunny day…I wonder what they might’ve thought…they moved from Canada to LA to start their family—which was a bold move at the time, to say the least. If they didn’t, who knows if any of this would’ve ever happened to me? I am grateful to my parents for the gifts they brought to me, and to Hollywood as well, for being the gift that keeps on giving! DH
Places
of interest
Museums continued from page 59
Skirball Cultural Center 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. (310) 440‐4500. Explores connections between 4,000 years of Jewish heritage and American ideals. Open Tue‐Sun, Thu Free. www.skirball.org Southwest Museum 234 Museum Dr. Arroyo Campus. (323)221-2164. Historic museum now under the auspices of The Autry National Center. Sat 10am‐4pm. Free. www.theautry.org/mt-washington Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance 9786 W. Pico Blvd. (310) 772-2505. Exhibitions on racism and prejudice. Advance tickets REQUIRED. Free parking. Closed Sat. www.museumoftolerance.com
worship
First Baptist Church of Hollywood 6682 Selma Ave. (323) 464-7343
St. Thomas, the Apostle Episcopal 7501 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 876-2102
Hollywood Presbyterian Church 1760 N. Gower St. (323) 463-7161
Temple Israel of Hollywood 7300 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 876-8330
Hollywood Lutheran Church 1733 N. New Hampshire Ave. (323) 667-1212
Temple Knesset Israel 1260 N. Vermont Ave. (323) 665-5171
Hollywood United Methodist Church 6817 Franklin Ave. (323) 874-2104
Vedanta Society 1946 Vedanta Pl. (323) 465-7114 (See PLACES)
Hope Lutheran Church 6720 Melrose Ave. (323) 938-9135
West Hollywood United Church of Christ 7350 W. Sunset Blvd. (323) 874-6646
Metropolitan Community Church 4607 Prospect Ave. (323) 669-3434 Mosaic – A Non-denominational Christian community. 7107 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 391-2930 Mt. Hollywood Congregational Church 1733 N. New Hampshire Ave. (323) 300-4066
Hollywood’s churches and synagogues play an important role in the community life of Hollywood.
Protection of the Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Church 2041 Argyle Ave. pokrovchurch.org
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 6657 Sunset Blvd. (323) 462-6311
The Self-Realization Fellowship Temple 4860 Sunset Blvd. (323) 661-8006
Chabad of Greater Los Feliz 1930 N. Hillhurst Ave (323) 660-5177
Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Hollywood 1711 N. Van Ness Ave. (323) 462-0010
Church of Scientology of Los Angeles 4810 Sunset Blvd. (323) 953-3200
St. Mary of the Angels Anglican Church 4510 Finley Ave. (323) 660-2700
Eckankar: Religion of the Light and Sound of God 6669 Sunset Blvd. (323) 469-2325
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church 6128 Yucca St. (323) 469-3993
60 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / SUMMER 2016
Blessed Sacrament Church