April 5 - 18, 2014
www.SanTanSun.com
Developer Pollack reveals his ‘Barry’d Treasure’ BY LYNETTE CARRINGTON
Many residents in the East Valley recognize the name “Pollack” from the popular Pollack Tempe Cinemas or the myriad of retail centers that bear the same name. Chandler resident Michael A. Pollack is the man behind that name
and he has successfully melded business, philanthropy and civic involvement and perhaps even elevated it all to an art form. Recently, A&E came knocking and being the gentleman that he is, Pollack answered.
Persevering in a tough market
THE MAN, THE COLLECTION: Michael A. Pollack houses his extensive collection of 3-D advertising statuary at his corporate offices. Submitted photo
One of the most notable aspects of Pollack’s empire is his career as the president and founder of Michael A. Pollack Investments. With more than 40 years in the real estate development industry, he has built a healthy business that includes more than 100 properties and 10 million square feet of developed commercial space in Arizona, California and Nevada. In the 1980s, he became known as “The Renovation King of Distressed Properties” and has since been using his expertise in construction and redevelopment to orchestrate renovation as well as new construction of commercial properties. He emerged out of the 2009 real estate funk after having foreseen the credit and lending crisis that peaked that year. “2009 was the probably one of the most difficult times I’ve seen and SEE POLLACK PAGE 4
Arts center reviews 25 years of stellar entertainment 2015 schedule announced at preview BY TRACY HOUSE
Located in the heart of downtown Chandler, the Chandler Center for the Arts has provided quality programs and entertainment for the past 25 years and the celebration is only beginning. More than 7 million visitors have passed through the doors of the CCA since its opening in August 1989. Through the years, CCA has hosted more than 60 sold-out shows, logged more than 300,000 of combined volunteer hours and local students have presented more than 15,000 performances. Katrina Pappas, general manager, says the CCA has 14 full-time employees and a host of volunteers. “We’re very unique in that the Center for the Arts is jointly owned by the city and the school district,” Pappas says. “And then we have the nonprofit arm that actually contracts with all the artists that come here.” The center is owned by the City of Chandler and the Chandler Unified School District. The Chandler Cultural Foundation is a nonprofit corporation and was contracted in 1989 by the city as the programming and fundraising entity for
the CCA. Pappas explains that being able to spread the costs across three entities allows for competitive ticket prices. “That’s a real advantage to having these partnerships.” The CCA has 340 members, most of who are season ticket holders. The venue seats 1,540 people; more than 285,000 people enjoy the Chandler Center for the Arts each year.
Coming to CCA Michelle Mac Lennan, assistant manager of programming and rentals, says the exciting part of the 25th anniversary is what the CCA is presenting. The 2014-2015 season events lineup is out and includes: Larry the Cable Guy; Black Violin; Zoppe, An Italian Family Circus; Alpin Hong; African Children’s Choir; Women Fully Clothed; Travis Tritt; SEE ART CENTER PAGE 8
Holocaust remembrance event scheduled at CCA
Little leaguers kick off the season
‘From Memory to Hope: Our Story’
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Mayor, ‘Gonzo’ aid in festivities
BY TRACY HOUSE
In honor of Yom Ha’Shoah, or Holocaust Remembrance, the public is invited to the Chandler Center for the Arts on Tuesday, April 8, to tour a Holocaust-era railway car and share in a naturalization ceremony. Mayor Jay Tibshraeny will make opening remarks and Samuel Harris, who survived three Nazi concentration camps, will speak to the new citizens about his appreciation for America. Steve Tepper, CEO and executive director of East Valley Jewish Community Center, mentions the event is the result of his organization hosting the 2008 National Anne Frank exhibit SEE HOLOCAUST PAGE 9
VIGILANT VOICE: Helen Handler, featured in the video “Our Story,” will make a special appearance at the event, signing her new book, due out this month. Handler, who was transported by railcar and lost her entire family at Auschwitz, has been a vigilant voice for the Holocaust survivor community, donating her time to speak to children across the country. Submitted photo
With the help of Mayor Jay Tibshraeny and Arizona Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez, more than 1,000 Chandler National Little League players and their families kicked off the 2014 season on Saturday, March 22. Children held flags announcing their teams as Sparky, the Arizona State University mascot, led the players on a parade onto the fields at Snedigar Sportsplex. There was a special appearance by the ROTC honor guard, and an airplay flyover. “It was really nice,” says Doug Brewster, who is in his fifth year as Chandler National Little League president. “We had Luis Gonzalez, the mayor, Sparky.” The players donned uniforms donated by the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of its D-backs Give Back Jersey Program, which provided high-quality uniforms and caps to more than 20,000 youth baseball and softball players and their coaches throughout Arizona communities. The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation donated more than $500,000 to the program.
F E AT U R E STO R I E S
See pages 6 & 7
Level I Trauma Center opens in Chandler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . Page 10 Laguna Laser offers affordable and experienced services. . . BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 16 Easter celebration spells ‘eggs’citement at Snedigar . . . . . . . . YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page 29 Chandler Mom of Year shares her story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NEIGHBORS . . . . . . . . . . Page 49 Ice-T ready to hit promotion trail for ‘Manslaughter’. . . . . . . ARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 59
SanTan Family Fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Section
SEE LITTLE LEAGUE PAGE 5
More Community . . . . . . .1-15 Business . . . . . . . .16-28 Youth. . . . . . . . . . 29-38 Opinion. . . . . . . . 47-48 Neighbors. . . . . . 49-58 Arts . . . . . . . . . . . 59-64 Spirituality . . . . . 65-70 Directory . . . . . . .71-72 Classifieds. . . . . . .73-74 Where to eat . . . 76-78