Yuma on Forbes list of top up-and-coming tech cities

  Yuma is rapidly earning respect as a technical hub, thanks to the presence of Yuma Proving Ground, according to Forbes.com. The Web site ranked the city among the top 10 up-and-coming tech cities in the nation in the 2008 Small Business Outlook posted March 10.

  The ranking is based on a survey by Philip Auerswald, professor of public policy at George Mason University, of regional innovation trends across the U.S. He surveyed specific pockets of science most experts consider today's most promising frontiers of innovation, then looked for relationships among patents within each general technical area.

  Yuma was listed as 10th on the list, based on the community's relationship with the U.S. military. Here's what the Forbes Web site said about the city.

  "The U.S. Department of Defense runs a testing facility, U.S. Yuma Proving Ground, near the city that spans over 1,300 square miles of desert terrain. As the primary U.S. site for desert warfare research, Yuma is now the third-fastest-growing metropolitan area in the country, according to its Web site. And where the military goes, so does tomorrow's top technology."

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  Two years ago, Joey Rendon realized his dream of buying Jack and Rosie's steakhouse from his aunt. Now he's  the new owner of Dos Centavos, 11274 S. Fortuna Road.

  It's business as usual for the Mexican food establishment, with some notable additions by the steak man. He's added Jack and Rosie's popular ribeye steak, ribeye sandwiches and barbecued ribs to the menu so Foothills people don't have to drive so far for the treat.

  Joining him at Dos Centavos is his cousin, Valerie Guerra, as full-time cook. "I couldn't do it without her here," Rendon said.

  Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 305-9877.

  As for Jack and Rosie's, Rendon's sister and co-owner, Julie Zapata, is running that business.

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  There's a for-sale sign at Dorco Building Supply, 740 E. 22nd St. But the only thing for sale is the property, said co-owner Joel Melton. Once the building sells, the business will be relocated to Avenue 4E to provide better access for contractors.

  Other owners are Steve Melton and Steve Kohmetscher.

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  Aaron and Miriam Copeland of A and M Photography are offering professional studio photography, retouching, restorations and special photo effects. They photograph families, children and artful nudes - as well as some great scenery. Check out their gallery at www.theamphotography.com.

  Their recently opened studio is at 1700 S. 1st Ave., Suite 318C. For more information, call 782-5460. They do speak Spanish.

  Originally from Yakima, Wash., the Marine Corps brought them to Yuma. Aaron became interested in photography after purchasing a camera in 2006, then honed his skills while in Iraq. His wife, who goes by her middle name Dalila, focuses on photo editing and art directing.

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  Bison Express Shuttle is now offering same-day package delivery to Phoenix. Packages can be brought to the office at 12557 South Frontage Road in the Foothills. They will be taken to the Arizona Shuttle freight office in Phoenix near Sky Harbor International Airport, where they can be picked up.

  The service is available Mondays through Fridays. The cost is $25 per package (up to 50 pounds) and $15 for envelopes. To make arrangements for delivery, call 345-4615.

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  Here's a little more about last Sunday's mention that work is progressing quickly on the Pivot Point Conference Center along the riverfront - a good thing since a major conference is booked there for Nov. 5-7.

  Lorraine Cruz, director of sales and marketing, said she actually has three major conferences as well as some Christmas parties booked there. And that's before the walls have gone up, a phase of the construction that is expected to start this week.

  The nearly 20,000-square-foot center will have a large ballroom that can be broken into separate rooms, two breakout meeting rooms, a kitchen and outdoor function areas. For more information about booking a conference, wedding, Christmas party or other special event, contact Cruz at 783-4151 or lorraine.cruz@hilton.com.

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  Giangreco Medical Group has just completed a major expansion of its office at 1951 W. 25th St., Suite F, in the Picacho Medical Center, gaining space for its rapidly growing practice.

  The 2,000-square-foot addition provides five new examination rooms, two new physician offices, a conference room and a new medical records room.

  The practice includes Dr. Atilio S. Giangreco, Dr. Richard S. Fayssoux and Dr. W. Bruce Ethridge, all board-certified medical oncologists. They provide treatment of cancer and blood disorders.

 For more information, call 314-1174.

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  Troy Forbus has moved his independent Aflac office - all of 200 feet. He's now located at 820 W. 32nd St., Suite B. A voluntary employee benefits specialist, Forbus can help individuals with their insurance needs and employers with their business benefits packages. He can be reached by calling 314-1655 or 317-8575 or by e-mail at troyforbus@yahoo.com.

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  The economic slowdown has struck a local business, Brothers Inc. The company, which specialized in off-road vehicles, has closed its doors at Ramster Industrial Park at the corner of 32nd Street and Avenue 3E.

  That leaves a practically new 6,250-square-foot office and showroom vacant, said Ron Martin, owner of the building. If interested in leasing it, call Martin at 726-3307.

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  Bactes Imaging Solutions is offering copy services for release of information such as Arizona Department of Economic Security, disability benefits and patient requests in a timely, cost-effective and HIPAA-compliant manner.

  The business currently serves several local medical offices and is looking to expand. For more information, call Carol Gates at 446-4834.

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  Dawn Wood has closed the Gift Shop in Wellton but will be reopening as Wood's Custom Stained Glass in the future at a new location.

  Meanwhile, she is in a temporary location and can be reached at 246-1990 for stained glass supplies, arrangements for lessons and finished pieces or consignments.

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  Nature's Express, while open only a few weeks, already is getting national recognition for its healthy but tasty food.

  The restaurant's chili burger, originally developed in the now closed Good Karma in Venice Beach, Calif., is a finalist in the Vegetarian Times Dining Out Delights poll. The burger is one of 18 menu items that are national finalists.

  "It is really fantastic to have an award for the great taste of the chili burger," said Dr. Carl Myers of Yuma, a co-founder of both Good Karma and Nature's Express. "We're all about eating healthier, but unless the food tastes great, people won't care how healthy it is."

  Nature's Express, 2905 S. 4th Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Drive-through hours are 7 to 10 p.m. An expanded breakfast menu and earlier dining hours will be available in April. For more information, call 317-8300.

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  Outback Steakhouse is having a birthday party to celebrate its 20 years in business. For the occasion, Yuma's restaurant at 328 E. 16th St. joins hundreds of others by promoting classic favorites as well as a number of new, limited-time creations available only until the end of April.

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  Don't know if there are more winter visitors in Yuma this year, but Arizona Marketplace co-owner Bradley Holcum thinks so.

  "We've been having a record year," he said. "We're really pleased with the season. I think the Canadian dollar (now worth more than the U.S. dollar) is helping us."

  The swap meet at 32nd Street and Avenue 4E is in its sixth season.

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