Comings and Goings - Pizza coming your way from Papa Murphy's Take 'N Bake

Yes, you can have it your way - at least when it comes to pizza from Papa Murphy's Take 'N Bake when it opens for business this week. The new pizza business offers a new concept - customers select the type of crust and toppings they want, the store assembles the pizza, then the customer takes it home to cook and enjoy piping hot, explained franchise owners Steve and Janelle Raabe.

Raabe said he expects to open for business Tuesday. Located at 2951 S. Pacific Ave., the store will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Customers can order at the store or order ahead by calling 317-8400 and pick up their pizza at the drive-through window.

Besides pizzas, the store will have salads, dessert pizza and cookie dough (sold in 1-pound tubs). For a menu, visit papamurphys. com.

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Joel Whitted had a synthetic lawn when he lived in El Centro - "It was awesome for kids and dogs," he said. And he didn't have to water it, fertilize or mow. So he grabbed the opportunity to purchase All Play Synthetic Lawns with the relocation of former owners Eric and Bianca Wittenberg.

As the new business owner, Whitted sells, installs and does maintenance on synthetic lawns manufactured by ProGreen International, one of the oldest makers of synthetic grass and known for its high-quality realistic turf.

For more information, call 446-7426, e-mail info@allplaylawns.com or visit www.allplaylawns. com.

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Meineke Car Care Center, 1954 S. 4th Ave., also is under new ownership. John Fleming (who also owns Novus Auto Glass) and Wally Jackson are the new franchise owners for the auto care business. The center offers oil changes, tuneups, brake work and alignments from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The store can still be reached at 782-0515.

With the ownership change, Cherie Boyle has ended her eight-year tenure at the business, first as the franchise owner from 2002 to 2008, then as corporate store manager for Meineke for the past year. She plans to enjoy some time off with husband Gary, help manage the property the Boyles still own and plan her next venture.

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A temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued for Desert Best Enterprises for two suites at 7101 E. 29th St. in the Yuma Commerce Center, reported Alan Kircher, assistant city of Yuma building official. He said work is still in progress for three other suites for the company.

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In other city building activity, Kircher reported:

• Work has been completed on a renovation of the Starbucks located inside the Avenue B Albertsons.

• A grading permit has been issued to Taylor Farms for an expansion of its cooler loading docks at 4250 S. Avenue 3-1/2E.

• A permit has been issued for fire damage repair to Las Palapas Taco Grill at 362 W. 32nd St. in the Big Curve Shopping Center. The restaurant sustained damage during a fire this summer in the kitchen stove hood.

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The September issue of Yuma Business Direct is now available online at businessinyuma.com. The cover story features Scott Crace, owner and manager of Texas Roadhouse, where diners can enjoy a fresh-cut steak and hot-out-of-the-oven rolls while watching the staff take a turn as line dancers. He wants to let customers know he will remain open during the impending 16th Street construction.

The issue also features AA Val-U Stor as the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce member of the month. The business was selected in large because owner Mike Perry has become a local advocate for solar power after installing a system on his self-storage business which he figures saved more than $11,000 in electrical bills in the first 10 months.

In addition, John Morales, executive director of Yuma Private Industry Council, describes new services the agency is offering to businesses and dislocated workers.

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Yuma Teaching Supplies and Bug Depot have moved. Formerly located at the Big Curve Shopping Center, the two businesses - both owned by Rick and Debbie Seltzer - are now at 1198 S. 4th Ave. That's next to Johnny Yuma's in the former Truly Nolen store.

Seltzer said the new location has the same amount of space but with the advantages of a more central location and 4th Avenue frontage for greater visibility. The stores can be reached at 343-2729.

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With the start of the NFL football season, Hooligan's Sports Bar and Grill, 3950 W. 24th St., is gearing up for the fun with plans to offer Monday Night Football from 4 to 10 p.m. - or until the game ends.

As for the rest of the fall schedule, Hooligans will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, open 4 to 10 p.m. Thursdays, party time with music and surprise entertainment from 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays, comedy night or UFC fights Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight and football Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Also, new items have been added to the menu, including steak and chicken wraps. For more details, call 783-8700.

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Dr. Carl Myers, his wife, Jean, and their restaurant, Nature's Express, are featured in the quarterly publication of the Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine. The article (www.pcrm. org/magazine/ gm09summer/profile.html) highlights the efforts by the couple to promote a plant-based diet as a healthier alternative.

Myers is an oncologist, while his wife teaches the popular The Cancer Project's Food for Life Nutrition and Cooking Class series (www.cancer project.org). The couple's concern about the health of others also led them to open Nature's Express, a small chain of vegan fast-foot restaurants.

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Yuma Jazzercise is holding a free open house and one-day sale Monday, announced Jazzercise instructor and manager Christine Robertson. There will be door prizes, refreshments and free workouts. The schedule includes Jazzercise class at 5:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.; body sculpting class will be at 4 p.m.

All classes last one hour and participants are asked to bring a water bottle, mat or towel, and be ready to dance to a new you. Child care is available for the 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. classes.

Yuma Jazzercise is located in the auditorium of Stone Ridge Church, 6300 E. 24th St., and can be reached at 502-9770. Wendy Busey is the owner.


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  The Village Art Gallery, 3300 S. 8th. St., Suite G2, has reopened after a summer break and is stocked with new art. Hours through September are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Starting in October, the gallery will go to its winter hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 341-0039.

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The Humane Society of Yuma's thrift store is opening its Christmas Room this week - shoppers are encouraged to come browse and check out the mini railroad set up. The thrift store, located at the corner of 24th Street and 4th Avenue (behind Audio Einsteins), is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

Volunteers and donations are always welcome - call 783-0408 for more information.

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Heather McCloud announces she is a new independent sales representative for Avon and Mark (the younger brand of Avon that targets the ages of 16-24). McCloud can be reached at 581-2770 or avon@heather mccloud.com. Her Web site is heathermccloud.com.

She also will work with organizations for fundraising events.

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World Gym Fitness Center of Yuma, 2205 W. 23rd St., is offering new belly dancing classes conducted by Zarmineh, an authentic belly dancer. The classes are being held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

For more information, call World Gym at 343-1053.