Hotel manager branches out to home improvement business

  Rafael Torres, manager of Ramada Inn-Chilton Conference Center, is branching out to the home improvement business, having just opened a Yuma-area franchise for Fresh Coat. His mission is to provide local homeowners with professional painters, quality workmanship and eco-friendly paint options to provide a stress-free home improvement experience.

  Fresh Coat is one of the painting industry's fastest-growing interior painting franchises. The company also recently rolled out a new commercial program to extend its painting services to businesses, schools, hospitals and restaurants. For more information, visit www.freshcoat painters.com.

  "Whether they are selling or staying, people are always looking for affordable ways to freshen up their homes," Torres said. To contact Fresh Coat of Yuma, call 344-2955.

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  There's a new real estate office in the Foothills formed through a partnership of some well-known real estate people in the area. Mary Bennett, longtime Realtor and broker for Premier Storage Condominiums for the past six years, has joined forces with Team Munsterman to establish Desert Horizons Group LLC.

  The agency is located at Premier Storage, 10710 S. Foothills Blvd. just north of Interstate 8. The office is serving double duty as the sales office for the storage company and to provide real estate services - whether residential, land or commercial, said Bennett, who is the broker.

  She said while the agency focuses on the Foothills, it can assist with real estate services throughout the Yuma area and even California. And next month, the agency will begin offering property management services.

  Joining Bennett are agents Irene Wilcomb and Ruth Martin, who had worked with her, as well as the Team Munsterman, including Dave Munsterman, Paul Munsterman, Larry Munsterman and Jaimi Avelar. Team Munsterman previously was associated with RE/MAX.

  The agency can be reached at 342-1319.

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  Mesa del Sol has opened its second phase of Frontera Estates in San Luis, Ariz., to a lot of interest, said Elizabeth Carpenter, associate broker for Mesa del Sol Realty.

  The 87-lot subdivision is located at 4th Avenue and Urtuzuastegui Street - just a short walk to the border and close to schools and shopping. One model is finished, with four more under construction. Six floor plans, all with garages and sprinklered frontyard landscapes, are available ranging in price from $139,000 to $179,000. Or people can purchase a lot.

  The sales office is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

  Single-family homes are also available at Mesquite Phase 2 in Mesa del Sol off North Frontage Road and Plaza Del Oro. Eight floor plans range in size from 1,400 to 2,780 square feet. The subdivision has 85 residential lots.

  In addition, that development includes commercial lots ranging in size from one-half to one acre along North Frontage Road.

   For more information about either project, call Mesa del Sol Realty at 342-1033 or Carpenter at 503-0110.

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  "We're heading for the finish line," reported John Mitchell of the restaurant he's been working on for some time. He hopes to open John and Margie's Ranch House Restaurant, 4340 E. 32nd St., by early October for breakfast, lunch and supper.

  He expects to install the equipment this week and begin training the staff he's currently in the process of hiring. He still has some openings both in the kitchen and the dining room. Applications are being taken at the restaurant.

  To help with the training process, Mitchell is soliciting "volunteers" among his loyal customers from when he owned Bubba's to let the staff practice on them during a soft opening. Those interested in putting their name in the hat for a drawing can e-mail him at ranch_house928@yahool.com.

  Mitchell promises a top-notch dining experience with USDA prime steaks cooked on a new infrared steak broiler ("so you can get the charred rare effect if that's what you want"), seafood and mountain oysters.

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  Setting the record straight:

  • The incorrect address for Mementos, the crafts supply store owned by Lisa Nickle, was published in last Sunday's Comings and Goings regarding a wedding album class. The correct address for the store - and the class - is 3280 S. 4th Ave. on the east side of Mervyn's plaza. 

  • The personal umbrella policy program offered through Progressive Insurance Companies is not limited to one agency, as reported last Sunday. It is available through a variety of independent agencies in Yuma County, including Yuma Insurance Inc., reported agent Chris Townsend (344-3500).

  • The correct phone number for Yuma Contractors/Engineers/Architects Custom Plan Room Services is 782-8065. The number published in last Sunday's column (783-3170) was for the fax.

  My apologies to the businesses for the errors. Guess I was having a rough week!

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  Maria Sanchez has opened a new hair salon, Jovangy's Beauty Salon, at 425 W. 8th St. (that's next to Sant Drug). She's open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Walk-ins are welcome or for an appointment, call 782-2007.

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  The Mr. Lu's restaurant at Coyote Wash in Wellton has reopened, reported Don Shooter, sales agent for the development. The restaurant's phone number is 785-4990.

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  After more than 40 years in business in Yuma, the Houston Photo division of Houston International, LTD, is closing, announced Herb and John Houston. All equipment, the shop and office are being sold. In addition, a large factory space will be available for rent. For more information, call 782-3677.

  At one time, the business was a leading manufacturer of film processing equipment and had more than 100 employees, according to the Houstons.

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  Alarms*Security*Networks (residential/commercial DVR camera systems, Internet ready burglar/fire alarm systems, structured wiring and low voltage communications), owned by Brenda and Joseph Franco, has moved to 2260 S. 4th Ave., Suite F, in Citrus Plaza.

  The move enables the Francos to consolidate their other businesses under one roof, said Brenda. They also have GStar Communications (telephones, fiber optics, network port certification and MESH Networks), AZ Computer Operations (computer networking, system administration, Web site design, ports, switches and fiber), Shade for Rent (shade tents) and Margarita Ville (rental of frozen slushy drink machines).

  To reach the various business, call Alarms*Security*Networks at 328-1686, GStar Communications at 328-1712 and Shade for Rent/Margarita Ville at 246-4305.

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  Another milestone is coming up for the major library building projects in Yuma County. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday to mark the opening of the brand new Foothills branch library at 13226 E. South Frontage Road. All are invited to join in the celebration.

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  Acupuncture of Yuma, 710 W. 16th St., wants to help you quit smoking. Studies show that people who quit smoking with a friend or spouse are less likely to start smoking again, said acupuncturist Elyse Tera, "so we are offering a special two-for-one on our acupuncture smoking cessation program for the months of September and October."

  For more information on quitting smoking with acupuncture, call her at 328-1975.

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  Pacesetter Homes of Yuma was recently recognized by Schult Homes for consistently achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction and ranking as one of the company’s top performers.

  As a result, Pacesetter Homes was asked to participate in a project that will establish "best practices" and develop educational resources to support other housing retailers in improving their customer satisfaction efforts. Pacesetter Homes is one of 12 retailers nationally assisting in the development of these resources.

  Owned by Danny Bryant, Pacesetter Homes is located at 8671 South Frontage Road and can be reached at 726-8225.

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