Yuma Visitors Bureau rolls out cloudy-day promotion

Yuma's sunshine is in the spotlight thanks to a new promotion that capitalizes on a historic offer in which local hotels boasted they would provide “free board every day the sun doesn't shine.”

Now, in honor of Arizona's Centennial celebration, the whole community has renewed the historic offer for 12 months, beginning Aug. 1.

Media outlets across the world are taking notice, said Susan Sternitzke, executive director of the Yuma Visitors Bureau. The campaign has also piqued interest across the U.S. in a number of major media outlets, and participating Yuma hotels are beginning to see an interest in callers.

An officially sunless day — “Code Gloom” — will be declared by a committee of YVB staff, board members and meteorologists at 5 p.m. and announced to the public when hotels place a life-sized cutout of an umbrella-toting Yuma Mayor Alan Krieger (now on display in the lobby of Yuma City Hall) in their lobbies.

Hotels then will validate and date-stamp “free board” certificates that will be good until 5 p.m. the next day for a complimentary meal (or $10 discount) at a variety of restaurants.

Hotels and restaurants want to jump on the bandwagon? Call 376-0100.

So how many days a year — if any — actually pass in Yuma without at least a glimmer of sun? Despite all the statistics, no one is quite sure, Sternitzke said.

It's also unclear whether anyone collected on that original offer 100 years ago, said Carol Brooks, Yuma curator for the Arizona Historical Society.

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Dancemakers is opening a new studio in the Foothills area, announced owner and director Cindy Turrentine, who added that she is “really excited about the opportunity. I've been wanting go to the Foothills for some time.”

The new studio will be located in the Cielo Verde Shopping Center at 3325 S. Avenue 8E, Suite 8 (where a yoga studio previously had been) near the Foothills Walmart. That puts the new dance studio next door to Nathan Bratcher's karate studio, which will be handy for families, Turrentine said.

She will hold a grand opening and open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and open for classes Sept. 6. The new studio will offer classes for 3-year-olds through advanced levels in ballet, jazz, tap, tumbling and hip-hop, with musical theater-style performances.

To register, call 783-7754 or go online to www.dancemakersyuma.com.

Turrentine has had a dance studio for 23 years in Yuma Valley.

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Good news for those who have been looking forward to patronizing Steiner's European Deli. After some construction delays, the new deli owned by Christine Stoner is now open for business at 2630 S. 4th Ave. It can be reached at 726-2898.

The deli features German meats, cheeses, breads, some made-on-site soups and salads and a hot entree of the day, as well as some European grocery items and gift items. It's open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and closed Sundays.

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Plateau Lasers, an authorized TOPCON Positioning Systems dealer for Arizona and Southern California, has agreed to sell its dealership to RDO Equipment Co., announced Jim Platt, owner of Plateau Lasers.

RDO, an authorized John Deere construction and agriculture tractor dealer headquartered in Fargo, N.D., has several offices, including one in Yuma. According to Platt, RDO has been wanting to expand its technology division, RDO Integrated Controls. TOPCON is the first agricultural technology acquisition for the company. Prior acquisitions were in the construction markets.

Will Newbourn, service manager for Plateau Lasers for six years, will be transferring to RDO Integrated Controls. He will be servicing all existing TOPCON customers and will be cross-trained on the John Deere products.

RDO Integrated Controls will lease the former Plateau Lasers building at 1075 S. Avenue B and all telephone numbers will remain the same, Platt said, adding that “I am confident they will do an excellent job taking care of our customers.”

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Michele Martin, a hairstylist with 10 years' experience, has left Regis Salon and is now working at Cameo Salon, 1970 S. 4th Ave. She can be reached at 446-8765.

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Norma Lopez, area manager for Jafra Cosmetics International, announced the recent collaboration between Jafra and noted Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Randall Haworth, in the development and endorsement of a cosmeceutical line of skin care.

Jafra Pro, the company's next generation of skin care, provides a collection of premium anti-aging products typically available only in medical spas and doctors' offices, Lopez said.

For more information, call Norma Lopez at 344-0750. The office at 3300 S. 8th Ave., Suite C, in Westward Village is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

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A church has purchased the building previously occupied by Tile Outlet at 773 S. Orange Ave., confirmed Realtor Carolyn McKelvey Malouff. She said the new owner is Camino Nuevo, which intends to convert the 8,700-square-foot building into its new worship center.

According to Yuma Sun archives, Camino Nuevo — the New Walk — is pastored by Misael Meza and his wife, Veronica. The church met for a time in the old Plaza 5 Theatres and later moved to 1535 S. 8th Ave.

Camino Nuevo bought the Orange Avenue property for $380,000, according to the Yuma County Assessor's Office.

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As for the vacant lot behind that building, plans are under way to develop a six-unit apartment complex there. During its meeting last week, the Yuma City Council approved amending the land use designation for the properties located at 780 and 792 S. 2nd Ave. to allow for high-density residential development.

The applicant is Markal Investments, which according to the Arizona Corporation Commission listing includes Albert Ramos and Mark Deanda.

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A new business, Hard Rock Concrete Design and Distribution, provides a one-stop shop that offers the latest in concrete mix designs, forming systems, edge profiles, sink molds, coloring and texturing, aggregates and sealers. The business carries products to do overlays and countertops with aggregate or fiber optics and the latest — crystal fire burners.

Hard Rock can supply contractors as well as the do-it-yourself homeowner. In addition, it offer trainings on its products.

The company is owned by Craig McKnight and is located at 316 S. Main St. It can be reached at 783-9000 or info@hardrocksupply.com.

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dd's Discounts is conducting its third annual donation drive in support of youth literacy efforts by partnering with the nonprofit First Book to place brand-new books in the hands of children who need them the most.

Through Sept. 5, dd's Discounts customers can make a donation at the Yuma store, 2704 W. 16th St. A $2 donation will provide a new book for a child in the community. The company will match donations up to $25,000.

First Book has distributed more than 80 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.firstbook.org.

Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or call Joyce Lobeck at 539-6853.