Yuman ready to fix those damaged buildings

Yuma native Kevin Kehl has recently opened PuroClean Property Restoration Services and will service the homes, businesses and other properties that may be in need of mitigation and restoration services after water, mold, fire, trauma events and other types of losses.
 
He's offering the services through his recently opened Yuma-area franchise with PuroClean - "The Paramedics of Property Damage” and a nationwide leader in property damage restoration.
 
Most recently the operations director at Yuma Palms Regional Center, Kehl is a licensed general contractor with extensive background in facilities maintenance, remodeling and renovations. So a PuroClean franchise was a good fit when he was ready to go into business for himself, he said.
 
For more information, call Kehl at 388-6155 or visit www.puroclean.com/ pprs-az.

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Just in case you missed the story last week, Ann Taylor Loft at Yuma Palms Regional Center will be closing the latter part of April, according to an e-mail from Beth Warner, director of corporate communications for Ann Taylor Stores.
 
The women's apparel retailer opened in late 2005 in the building across from Chili's.
 
The news comes on the heels of an announcement last week by Taylor Stores that it was accelerating its store closures due to a larger-than-expected fourth-quarter loss. The company now plans to close 163 stores, up from an earlier projection of 117.

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Also, March 22 will be the last day of business for Fashion Bug, 2850 S. Pacific Ave. The store is one of several being closed around the country by parent company Charming Shoppes Inc. due to the economic downturn.

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On a happier note, a women's apparel shop is about to open at 2450 S. 4th Ave., Suite 101, the former Blockbuster location at the Crescent Center.
 
Called Red's Zone, the store will feature clothing, shoes and accessories for teens and young adults, said business owner Alex Carlos.
 
He plans to open the doors to the new store Thursday. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. The store can be reached at 726-6585.

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Sam Mendoza e-mailed to announce he will be moving Sam's Music Shop next week. Now located at 3250 S. 4th Ave. in the Mervyn's Plaza, the music store will be relocating to 2544 S. 4th Ave. next to YMCA., where Mendoza expects to be open for business Friday.
 
He said the new address offers more visibility and twice the size so he'll be better able to serve his customers. He also will be able to offer summer guitar, bass, drum and piano lessons.
 
The store specializes in such musical instruments as guitars and drum sets and the accessories for them as well as professional sound systems. Mendoza also has band instruments for rent. For more information, call 317-0665.

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ABC Preschool will be opening its doors Monday at 2600 W. 24th St. (where now-closed Whiz Kidz previously was located), offering extended hours from 5:30 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays.
 
The new preschool is now taking applications for children ages 1 to school age. Parents are invited to come by to see it or to call 783-3354 for more information.
 
ABC Preschool is owned by Rosa Pfeifer, who also owns Happy Faces daycare center at 1901 S. 7th Ave. The director is her daughter-in-law, Maria Velez, and Reyna Bonilla is the assistant director.

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A certificate of occupancy has been issued for the Armed Forces Career Center in the multitenant building at the southwest corner of 16th Street and Pacific Avenue, said Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official.

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In other city of Yuma building activity, Kircher reported:
 
• Plans have been submitted for a renovation project for the Arco AM-PM at 950 E. 16th St. for additional restroom facilities.
 
• Permits are ready to issue for a renovation project at the Avenue B Wal-Mart Supercenter, which includes some layout changes and remodeling of the grocery, bakery and garden areas.
 
• Permits have been issued for tenant improvements to the Kress building in downtown Yuma for Da Boyz Pizza and Pasta, which will be opening a restaurant on the ground floor of the historic building.
 
• Plans have been submitted for repairs to Chikas Glamour, 2445 S. 4th Ave., which was damaged in a fire in January. 

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Can Do It Ceramics has moved and now is at 2896 E. Highway 95, Suite C (near A1 Restoration), said owner Laura Palmer. It's a full-service ceramic shop, offering greenware, bisque, paints, brushes and other supplies to work on a project and firing. Classes also are offered.
 
The shop is open year-round; current hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The shop also is available for special classes for such events as kids birthday parties or girls night out.
 
For more information, call 539-7188.
 
By the way, Palmer, who has been in business for 12 years, is looking for a buyer for the shop.

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Nikki Buchanan, food editor for Arizona Highways, listed Julieanna’s Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St., among the state’s top 25 restaurants in the April 2009 edition of the magazine.
 
Of special note was the mention of the restaurant's tiled tables, created by Julieanna’s and local artist Susan Sullivan.

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Would you like a home-cooked meal but don't have the time or inclination to prepare it? Or perhaps you could use a hand with the culinary preparations for a special event.
 
Stephanie Maggio has the solution. She is applying her love of cooking to her new business, Maggio's Personal Chef Service, and is fully licensed and insured.
 
As a personal chef, she will prepare meals in clients' homes, from the shopping and cooking to the cleanup. She also will do one-time events such as dinner parties or luncheons. Maggio specializes in Italian cuisine but can do other meals as well, then finish off the meal with her homemade desserts.
  
For more information, call 503-4922, e-mail tsmaggio@roadrunner. com or visit www.maggiospersonal chefservice.com.

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Nancy Snedaker, a certified elementary teacher and dyslexia tutoring specialist, recently moved to Yuma and is offering one-on-one tutoring with students of all ages who struggle with spelling and reading.
 
She uses individualized, multisensory tutoring that is supported by the latest research, and the Barton Reading and Spelling System that has proven to be extremely successful especially with students who have dyslexia.
 
For a free consultation and screening, call 726-3206 or e-mail nsnedaker@yahoo.com.

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Norma Lopez, a Jafra Cosmetics business builder, is realizing her longtime dream by opening her own Jafra Cosmetics Business & Career Training Center. The office, 3300 S. 8th Ave., Suite F1, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and other days by appointment. She can be reached at 344-0750 or 446-9833.
 
For more information visit www.myjafra.com/nlopez

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Evangelina Ortiz-Martinez of Yuma has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring easy-to-prepare gourmet products.
 
As a consultant, she offers the company's gourmet foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing parties. Guests receive samples, easy meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions.
 
For more information and to book a party, contact Ortiz-Martinez at eortiz4@hotmail.com. For more information about Tastefully Simple, visit www.tastefullysimple.com.

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To celebrate the completion of an expansion project, the Somerton Library, 240 Canal St., will have a grand opening Thursday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and refreshments. For more information, call 782-1871.

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