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Follows Launch of Walnut Creek 14-Plex Century Plotting North California 34 SAN RAFAEL, Calif. – Century Theatres over the summer outlined more plans for Northern California, detailing the coming of a San Jose 20-plex and a San Bruno 14-plex. The circuit’s San Jose 20-plex is set to bow Oct. 3 inside the recently remodeled Westfield’s Oakridge Mall in San Jose, Calif. The site will feature stadium-style seating, rocker love seats with cup-holder armrests, digital surround sound and wall-to-wall screens. In addition, the facility will boast a Café Cinema offering gourmet concession fare and espresso drinks. The plex was set to hold an Oct. 2 charity event incorporating the screening of a new film and food from local restaurants, with proceeds earmarked for the South Valley YMCA. Construction of the new 14-plex in the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno was set to begin this fall with a summer 2004 opening expected. The site, which will replace the Century Plaza 10 on Noor Avenue, will feature stadium-style seating, rocker love seats, digital surround sound, wall-to-wall screens and a Café Cinema. “We’ve had a long and successful relationship with movie-lovers on the Peninsula,” noted circuit president Joseph Syufy. “Now we’re going to tear down the old theatre and build a new state-of-the-art movie theatre.” In other Century news, the circuit preceded the official July 25 opening of its new 14-plex in the Oakland, Calif., suburb of Walnut Creek (In Focus, June 2003) with two evenings of films, entertainment, drinks, hors d-oeuvres and popcorn. All proceeds went to local charities. San Rafael, Calif.-based Century currently operates more than 900 screens in 11 states.   Aurora Awaits 3,400 Seats Colorado Cinemas 14 Due Early 2005 AURORA, Colo. – Colorado Cinema Holdings began construction over the summer on its new 14-plex in Aurora, Colo., a southeast suburb of Denver. The 3,400-seat multi will be part of the 276-acre, 764,000-square-foot South-lands “entertainment village” located at Smoky Hill Road and Route 470. The site, slated to open in the spring of 2005, will utilize stadium-style seating, digital sound and rocker seats with retractable cup-holder armrests. The circuit currently operates 96 screens at 11 sites in Colorado.   Circuit’s New Prez & Vice Chair Wallace Ups Wood & Aman PORTLAND, Ore. – Wallace Theatre Corp. announced on July 23 the promotions of Timothy G. Wood to president and former president Walter S. Aman to vice chairman. Wood, a 30-year industry veteran, previously served as senior vice president of operations. In his new role, Wood is responsible for several of the circuit’s strategic areas, including film acquisition, real estate development and theatre operations. He will continue to report to board chairman Scott C. Wallace. “Tim’s appointment to president of the company underscores the tremendous contribution Tim has made to the success of the company,” Wallace said. Before joining Wallace as a consultant in 1999, Wood served as senior vice president of operations for Act III Theatres. He also served as one of AMC’s first corporate training directors, but actually began his exhibition career with United Artists. Prior to joining Wallace, Aman served as president of Act III Theatres. He will continue to be involved in directing the formation and execution of the circuit’s business plan. Wallace currently operates 477 screens at 58 sites.

12 Slated For Harrisburg, Pa. Cinema Centers Opens 10, Plans 12 MILLERSBURG, Pa. – Cinema Centers followed the May 2 opening of its newly expanded 10-plex in Reading, Pa., with news that the circuit would bow a 12-plex in Harrisburg, Pa., next May. Formerly a 5-plex, the 2,000-seat 10-plex remains a component of Reading’s Fairgrounds Square Mall, and now features all-stadium-style seating, digital surround sound, curved screens and an arcade room. A May 1 fund-raiser at the site, centered around a screening, benefited the American Heart Association. The circuit announced on July 15 that it had reached an agreement with Kimco Realty to construct the new Harrisburg 12-plex. Like the Reading facility, the Harrisburg multi will boast stadium-style seating, digital surround sound, curved screens and an arcade room. Millersburg, Pa.-based Cinema Centers currently operates 47 screens at five Central Pennsylvania sites.   AMC Vet Alan Benjamin Loews Promotes Real Estate Veep NEW YORK – Loews Cineplex announced June 23 the promotion of Alan Benjamin to senior vice president of real estate. Benjamin, who joined Loews in 1999 as a vice president specializing in site acquisition in the Western United States, was promoted in 2000 to head the circuit’s U.S. real estate department. As senior vice president, Benjamin will be involved in managing the growth of Loews’ domestic circuit, and will report to circuit president Michael Norris. “Alan brings extensive real estate knowledge and strategic planning experience to this important role,” noted Norris. “He is an invaluable member of the team, and I look forward to his advice and counsel as we explore new opportunities for Loews in the years ahead.” Before joining Loews, Benjamin was employed by AMC Entertain-ment for 16 years, serving as senior vice president of AMC Realty since 1997. Loews Cineplex operates or has partnerships in 3,025 screens at 312 sites worldwide.   San Fernando Valley 5-Plex Pacific Aquires Sherman Oaks AMC SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – Pacific Theatres announced July 18 that it had completed the acquisition of AMC Entertainment’s Sherman Oaks, Calif., 5-plex, located at the corner of Van Nuys Boulevard and Milbank Street. Pacific also operates the Galleria 16-plex, situated less than two miles from the former AMC site. “By acquiring the Sherman Oaks theatre, we can present a full range of mainstream and specialized films at the Galleria 16 location, while providing specialized programming for families and senior citizens at the Sherman Oaks 5,” said circuit COO Nora Dashwood. Los Angeles-based Pacific currently operates more than 450 screens throughout California and Hawaii. $2,000 For Achievement NATO of Illinois Awards 3 College Scholarships DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – NATO of Illinois has awarded $2,000 in scholarships to three cinema employees. The recipients, revealed during the summer break, were recognized for their exemplary scholastic achievement, work ethic and leadership qualities. Illinois NATO 2003 scholarship recipients are: Jessica Timm, Harlem Corners Theatres, Bridgeview, Ill. – $1,000, first place; Janet Mandro, Marcus Gurnee Cinema, Gurnee, Ill. – $500, second place; and Thomas Haskell, Classic Cinemas Elk Grove Theatre, Elk Grove, Ill. – $500, third place.