Thanks for the Memories: Free "Collector's Edition" Calendar to Mark Louis Straus, Jr.'s 90th Birthday Recounts 30 Years of History.

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- For almost 70 years, Louis Straus, Jr. has worked nearly every day - save for a short break following a heart attack just after Christmas, although he was back on the job by New Year's Day.

Straus, who will turn 90 in May, still works to find real estate locations for clients who make creative use of distressed properties. In the 1960s, he created the "chain store recycling" idea that made use of failing locations created when large retailers were slow in making the transition to shopping malls.

Straus and his wife, Saralee, were thinking about ways to celebrate his 90th birthday when they realized they had 30 years of history at their fingertips. From 1973 to 2003, Straus hosted brunches at International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conventions throughout North America, and they had boxes upon boxes of photographs from the events.

The photos have been beautifully assembled into montages that include hundreds of movers and shakers who attended over 30 years. This Louis Straus and Associates "collector's edition" calendar is available for free while supplies last by calling [phone] or by e-mailing requests to [e-mail].

"This calendar is a unique time capsule featuring the people in our industry, some of whom are gone and others who have become household names in the shopping center world," Straus said. "Over three decades, we had thousands of industry leaders attend. I figure we served over 12,000 eggs and more than 20,000 cups of coffee over that time."

Straus said there are so many pictures, he's offered a prize to those who can find themselves in the photos.

"It's a challenge," Straus said. "I received a note from [ICSC executive vice president] John Riordan that he was still looking for himself. He said he hasn't been successful yet, but he did find [former ICSC executive vice president] Albert Sussman, who retired 20 years ago."