New shop offers a soothing respite

  Visions, a premier metaphysical store, will be opening its doors Friday at 447 S. Main St. (that's the historic Stoffela Store and Railroad Exchange noted as being the best preserved 19th-century brick building in Yuma). By the way, longtime residents may remember it as the Old Yuma gift shop.

  The new store, the project of business owner Jolene Vukasovich, "is filled with all things wonderful." The main gift shop offers such items as incense, candles, crystal, jewelry and mineral specimens. The book room features favorite metaphysical authors and comfy leather chairs to sink into while checking out a book. The garden room has affirmation planters, wind chimes, gongs and organic coffees and teas. The healing room features the Rev. Diana Cortinas, Reiki master and reader. Dorothy Law be teaching tarot readings. Outside, the meditation garden offers a perfect place to relax or to host a special event.

  Vukasovich said she was trying to offer a little different shop, with items that can be fun and pretty or with additional meaning.

  Friday's grand opening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature the Strong Heart Native Society Dancers, Arsenal Soft Ball Singers and singers Oscar Chavez and Lorna Bright. Carne asada will be served while supplies last.

  Regular shop hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturdays. The phone number is 782-8002.

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  Jeanie Wah's Chinese and American Bistro is now open at 1360 S. 4th Ave. (easiest access is off 14th Street a half-block west of 4th Avenue), to the delight of her faithful customers. She has a whole new - and very nice - look but with the same food and most of the same staff from Gene's Restaurant, the family-owned eatery she managed until the property was sold.

  The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays for dining and take-out. For more information or to order ahead, call 783-0080.

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  There is a lot going on at Dorco Building Supply, currently located at 740 E. 22nd St. Co-owner Steve Kohmetscher invites the building community and the public to stop by and meet newly hired manager Jim Newton, a local Yuman whose experience in the window and door industry spans from Southern California to the Midwest.

  In addition, the business will be moving into a brand-new facility at 4185 E. 41st Place, just 75 yards east of Avenue 4E, sometime around the holidays. In preparation, the business is having a moving sale to eliminate overstock, discontinued items and slightly damaged inventory.

  According to Dorco’s management team, the move to the new facility will allow easier access for customers and greater efficiency in their door manufacturing area due to an improved layout.

  If anyone is interested in the property which Dorco is vacating, call Steve or Jim at 783-0130 for more details and Realtor listing information.

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  Two new businesses are opening their doors Friday at 5720 E. 32nd St.

  • Dave Freeman, who has 15 years in the computer business, is opening Hillbilly Hi Tech and will offer computer repairs, custom built systems and such services as networking and wireless for businesses and homes. In addition to the shop, he will offer mobile service. He will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and be available for 24-hour technical support. His shop can be reached at 726-3034.

  • Sharing space will be Lisa Steen, who is opening Katz, a plus-size consignment shop and boutique. She already is accepting consignments; for more information, call her at 315-9851. Her hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

  Come by Friday morning for grand opening festivities for both businesses, to include performances by The Outlaws of Yuma.

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  The newest rage in Yuma is a little two-wheeled scooter known as Segway, proving a fun and easy way to glide around the historic downtown area. Yuma transplants Steve and Kate Cook visited friends here, fell in love with the area and have now started a business, SegwaYuma Tours.

  Steve said the scooter is easy to ride, very maneuverable and balances itself. Segway tours are available in many cities around the world and the Cooks decided they would be perfect as way for people to tour Yuma's downtown.

  The Cooks have set up shop at Arizona Ted's, 197 S. Main St., where they will have a grand opening Friday. They invite people to come by for a free lesson and information on 90-minute tours that will take them through Yuma's historic area, along the Colorado River to the Pivot Point, the Quartermaster Depot and the West Wetlands Park.

  For more information, call 342-1969 or visit www.SegwaYuma tours.com. The law requires riders to be at least 16.

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  Plans have been received for a new DaVita Dialysis Center to be located at Plaza del Este at 7179 E. 31st Place, reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official. It will be a 7,600-square-foot building. Plaza del Este is a commercial subdivision being developed by Michael W. Curtis Reality and Development of 32nd Street and Avenue 7E.

  In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher reported:

  • Permits have been issued for tenant improvements to the Care Flight Air Aviation Center to provide sleeping quarters for pilots.

  • Permits have been issued for a new 7,500-square-foot warehouse for Streamline Enterprises, a plumbing company, at 3032 E. 43rd St.

  • Plans have been received for new hobby room and maintenance storage facility at Country Roads RV Resort.

  • Plans have been received for a new Taco Bell at the Albertsons center at Avenue B and 24th Street.

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  Laurie S. Davis has opened a new business called Circle The Date Event Planning to provides design and coordination for weddings, quinceaneras, special and corporate events.

  Davis has a business degree and years of experience in planning events. Let Circle the Date plan your next event so you can spend time where you belong, with your guests.

  For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call 446-8025 or visit www.circlethedate.org.

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  Yuma's second Kneader's Bakery is now open for business at Yuma Palms Regional Center, serving up coffee, sandwiches, soups, gourmet salads, smoothies and baked goods. It's open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and offers a drive-through or eat-in dining. The phone number is 783-4099.

 It and the first Kneaders Bakery at 2851 S. Avenue B were developed by the Runyan family.

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  Last week, I misplaced The Tiny Hooves Mini Ranch, a miniature horse breeding business by Gary and Patty Black. It's really at 16620 S. Avenue A in the Somerton area. For more information, call 627-7022.

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  "We're getting there," said Mindy McLain, owner of The Children's Center, the day-care center that was damaged by a fire in June. She reported that the demolition work has been completed and general contractor JWL is ready to start on construction. She's hopeful she can reopen shortly after the first of the year.

  In the meantime, she has been approved to care for up to 16 infants. She's now taking pre-registration for infants and children up to age 12. For more information to sign up, call her at 503-7395.

  The day-care center is located at 1701 S. Avenue B, Suite 101 in the Plaza del Sol.

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  Cactus Propane has moved to Wellton and is now located at 28311 Los Angeles Ave., reported owners Les and Jerri Massey. The business will continue to deliver propane to much of Yuma County from Somerton and the mesa to Martinez Lake and of course, the eastern part of the county. The office has the same phone number of 342-6683.

  The business also will still sell propane at Foothills Boulevard and 40th Street as well as at its Wellton site.

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  Nicole Wilhelmy is an independent consultant with Heritage Makers, an online studio that creates books, cards, calendars, posters and more.

  "We're one of Oprah's all-time favorite gifts, and Heritage Makers was featured in December 2008 O Magazine," Wilhelmy said. She offers workshops, parties and scanning services to help people make their own storybook and preserve precious memories.

  She can be reached at 271-2348 or visit www.Nicolesstory booking.com.

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