Comings and Goings: Yuma Palms offering gift card promotion

There are a thousand reasons to shop at Yuma Palms Regional Center, says Lorene Becker, property manager. Through Dec. 24, the management staff will be giving away Yuma Palms gift cards to shoppers selected randomly.

"Each week I will approach shoppers, thank them for shopping at Yuma Palms and gift them with a $25 Yuma Palms gift card," she said. "I have a great time surprising shoppers and giving them a gift card, the shoppers are given the ability to purchase more than they had anticipated and the stores have the opportunity to increase their sales through the redemption of the gift card.”

The Random Gift Card Giving promotion is expected to reach, and perhaps surpass, $1,000 in gift card giving.

More gift card giving includes the Community Fund program where each month a nonprofit organization will be given a $50 gift card to be used in any way that assists the organization, such as the purchase of an auction item, raffle item, door prize or gift to volunteers.

For more information on the Community Fund program, visit the Yuma Palms Web site at www. shopyumapalms.com.

---

What was once an Italian restaurant soon will be serving up German food.

Mustard's Italian Foods, 204 S. Madison Ave., closed effective July 31, said property owner Jerry Stuart. Business owner Scott Mustard couldn't be reached for comment.

However, the little restaurant won't sit vacant long.

The property has been leased by Barbara and William Bowles, who plan to open Das Bratwurst Haus there in late October. The Bowleses, who have been catering for some time, had been looking for a location to open a restaurant and found exactly what they were looking for with the property, said William.

Stay tuned for more news about Das Bratwurst Haus.

---

The Cocopah Indian Tribe’s newest enterprise, the Wild River Family Entertainment Center, is currently under construction with an anticipated opening date this fall. The center will feature more than 41,000 square feet of entertainment for recreational and league bowling, parties, corporate meetings and group events.

The new facility will have 24 lanes of bowling, laser tag, arcade games, food and beverage service, a bar and lounge featuring large-screen TVs, billiard tables and spacious meeting/party rooms.

The Cocopah Wild River Family Entertainment Center will be located near the intersection of County 15th and Highway 95 at 15136 S. Avenue B.

“The Cocopah Indian Tribe looks forward to the opening of this new entertainment facility as a place for the community to come together and have fun. We’re hoping to change people’s minds about what they normally consider a bowling center,” said Cheryl Bradstreet, spokeswoman for the Cocopah Indian Tribe.

---

The Children's Center Inc., a day care center damaged by a fire in June 2008, has reopened after undergoing extensive repairs and renovations.

The center is now taking reservations and can care for up to 103 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. It also can now offer care for special needs children, said owner Mindy McClain. In addition, the center offers before- and afterschool programs - busing available for some Crane District schools.

The center, 1701 S. Avenue B in the Plaza Del Sol, has extended hours and is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, call 783-8309.

---

Building permits have been issued for two new fast-food restaurants in Yuma, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official.

One is for a Panda Express at 3275 S. Avenue 8E near the Foothills-area Wal-Mart. The other is a new Taco Bell to be located at 2353 S. Avenue B near the Albertsons grocery store.

---

In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher also reported:

• Plans have been submitted for a Big Swirl frozen yogurt store to go into Space H-4 next door to Junga Juice at Yuma Palms Regional Center.

• Plans are under review for a new 2,300-square-foot office for Avanti Skin Care in Tuscany Plaza, Lot 15.

• Nunes Cooling has submitted plans for a maintenance shop to be located behind the cooler at 4471 E. Gila Ridge Road.

• Taylor Farms has plans to expand its loading dock for its cooler at 4250 S. Avenue 3-1/2E.

---

Insurance agent Eric Capetillo is once again on the move and is now located at the Farmers District Office at 900 W. 8th St.

Formerly with State Farm, Capetillo has joined Farmers as an agent. He can still be reached at 782-4300.

---

Memo's Express Mobile Pressure Washing Service is new to Yuma. Locally owned by William "Memo" Ayon, the business offers a variety of pressure washing services, such as auto wash and full detailing and RV and mobile home washing.

Memo's is open seven days a week: "no job is too big or too small. Let us come to you while you run errands, are at work or at home relaxing."

Discount rates are offered for military, seniors and regular clients.

For more information, call 276-6283 or 276-6709, English and Spanish spoken.

---

Beginning Aug. 30, Desert Dugs Pizza in Wellton will be open seven days a week. The restaurant specializes in pizzas, spaghetti and wings and also has a salad bar.

The restaurant is located at Coyote Wash and can be reached at 785-9877.

---

Kevin Benbow, an Arizona licensed professional counselor with extensive experience treating mood and anxiety disorders, has entered private practice counseling. His office is located at 202 S. 1st Ave., Suite 104. To schedule an appointment, call 750-1775.

Benbow treats both adolescents and adults. He said he specializes in helping people cope with chronic illness and end of life issues, using cognitive therapy. He is being credentialed with several insurance companies and also will accept private pay clients.

---

The historic Robert E. Lee Hotel in downtown Yuma, 390 S. Main St., is for sale. Built in 1917, the hotel has been written up in travel magazines and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's listed at $1.85 million, said Sandy Hodges Baas, associate broker and Foothills branch manager for Coldwell Banker Crimson Sky Realty.

For more information, she can be reached by calling 941-2388 or 342-0422 or e-mailing shbaas@ crimsonskyrealty.com.

---

Two businesses have joined forces are now selling the same line of Natures Sunshine vitamins, minerals and nutritional supplements as a convenience for residents of Yuma and the Foothills.

The products can now be purchased at Sunshine Herbs n More, located in the Pioneer Shopping Center at 11274 S. Fortuna Road in the Foothills, and at Public Beauty Supply/Spritz Hairstylists, 1613 S. 4th Ave. in Yuma.

Both locations also are now offering Compass Scans to help determine a person's nutritional needs. For more information, call 342-1123 or 782-4815.

---

The Yuma Cabana Motel has launched a new interactive Web site and blog, announced owner Melissa Crawford. “One of the benefits of being an independent establishment is having the freedom to be creative.”  

Crawford and her team are tweeting, blogging and Facebooking to enhance overall marketing efforts. “Social media marketing has put the fun back into my job. We will be offering specials, contests and ‘staycation coupons’ to those paying attention to our tweets!” she said.

Of particular interest on the Web site is a collection of historical postcards and photos, and the Yuma Cabana blog offers valuable travel tips.

The 63-unit Yuma Cabana Motel, 2151 S. 4th  Ave., has been awarded two diamonds from AAA. For more information, visit www.yumacabana. com.

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