Groundwork begins on senior apartment complex

Groundwork has begun on Yuma Senior Terraces, a 60-unit apartment complex, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official.

He said the apartment complex will be located at 34th Drive and 22nd Lane, with expected completion in October 2010.

According to a published notice in the Yuma Sun, the apartments will be for lower-income seniors 62 and older. It is being developed by the Foundation for Senior Living at a reported cost of $11.2 million. The project received stimulus funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal.

Kircher also reported that new plans have been submitted for a mezzanine addition to Earthbound Farms, an organic produce company.

Paul Benzel Jewelers is packing up for a move, basically across the street. The longtime jewelry store will be moving into the Big Curve Shopping Center in a space near Albertsons.

The store, owned by Paul and Kimberly Benzel, will open for business in the new location Thursday with the same hours and phone number.

In addition to the move, Benzel has added two partners who have both worked for the business for more than 20 years: his brother Greg Benzel and Dadra Nickolas.

Benzel opened a retail jewelry manufacturing business in Yuma in 1981. For the past 15 years, Benzel Jewelers has been at 3000 S. 4th Ave.

Dr. Wilbur D. Duque has joined the health care staff of Sunset Community Health Center in Wellton, 10425 Williams St., as a family practice physician.

Duque graduated in 2003 from the University of East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Manila, Philippines. He completed his family practice residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Saturday was the last day of business for Backyard Photography, at least as a retail store at 316 S. Main St., said owner Lendy Crone. "It was a long summer and we couldn't recover," he explained.

While he's closing the store, he will continue to offer digital imaging services such as restoration and converting photographs to CDs.

Missing Piece Care Management is opening a residential care facility, Reflections Assisted Living, this week at 28th Drive and 31st Place. The company converted 19 townhouse condominiums to create the assisted living facility for the aged and handicapped.

The Foothills Restaurant, 12871 E. Frontage Road, is under new ownership with a new look and new name.

Maria Stefanakos said she took over the establishment from her father, completely remodeled the building and has renamed the restaurant Foothills Eatery and Spirits.

Mandarin Palace, 350 E. 32nd St., is under new management and open for business. It will be renamed Grand China in the near future.

Dr. Shirley JoAnn Smart, a licensed psychologist, is opening a practice in Yuma and will be seeing patients Mondays and Tuesdays at the Oasis Counseling Services, 1414 S. 5th Ave.

Smart is an Arizona licensed psychologist. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute – Anxiety Disorder Center in St. Louis, Mo.

Karen Mitchell and her daughter, Kristi Mitchell-Stephens, are opening a day care center and preschool in the Foothills with a curriculum that will include a physical education program.

Tender Hearts Preschool and Daycare will be located at 11862 Foothills Blvd., with room for about 45 children.

Mitchell has a master's degree in education and has worked in social services. She also volunteered for three years at the Fort Yuma Head Start. Her daughter has a dual degree in criminal justice and psychology and has worked in a day care center.

In celebration of his second anniversary in business as the owner of The Barber Shop, 250 E. 24th St., Jessie Medina is offering a free barbecue lunch to anyone getting a haircut Saturday. The barbecue will be fired up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.