On Thursday, January 10, the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce honored its current president, attorney Stephen W. Kramer, with the organization’s second annual Trailblazer Award, presented annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the life and success of the Miracle Mile area.
The award was presented by last year’s winner, former Larchmont Chronicle publisher Jane Gilman, at a luncheon at the Ebell of Los Angeles. At the event, a long line of local dignitaries lauded Kramer and his efforts to support the Miracle Mile buisiness and cultural community over the last 15 years. (In addition to being instrumental in the successful revival of the once-moribund Chamber, Kramer has also served on the boards of the Craft and Folk Art Museum, LaunchLA, and the Odyssey Theater, and was a founder of the annual TarFest event at the La Brea Tar Pits.)
Besides Gilman, speakers sharing memories of Kramer and kudos for his efforts included City Attorney Mike Feuer, City Controller Ron Galperin, The Grove manager Ryan Hawley, Mark Panatier, vice president of the A.F. Gilmore Company (which owns and operates the Original Farmers’ Market), Miracle Mile Residential Association Vice President Ken Hixon, and a special video message from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
One speaker, the First in Fire Foundation’s Lyn Cohen, even brought props reminiscent of long-ago events Kramer participated in, and pretty much summed up all the speakers’ sentiments in saying that Kramer is very much responsible for putting the “miracle” in today’s Miracle Mile.
