Comings and Goings: $28 million contract

Harper Construction Company was recently awarded a $28 million contract to construct a new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft hangar at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.

This is the third contract the San Diego-based design-build contractor has been awarded to construct new aviation hangars at MCAS for the F-35. In March, the company was awarded contracts for two other hangars for the new aircraft that will begin arriving at MCAS soon.

All three contracts, totaling approximately $100 million, are scheduled to be completed in 2014.

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Workers have been hard at work at the former Grand China Buffet, 350 E. 32nd St., refurbishing both the interior and exterior in preparation for the restaurant reopening under new ownership as Yuma Palace.

The facelift includes painting, repairs, refinishing the parking lot and reviving the landscaping.

Yuma Palace is scheduled to open Nov. 1 and will feature Asian cuisine. An employee said many people have been stopping by to check on the progress.

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After a busy several weeks of repairing and updating, Gloria Porter has opened her new restaurant, Markley's Cactus Grill, at 12471 South Frontage Road. That's where El Cafe De Coyote — a standout with its purple exterior — was located for several years.

The building is still purple on the outside but the inside has a totally different look, Porter said. As for the menu, it will feature standard fare such as steaks and hamburgers as well as Mexican favorites.

The Cactus Grill is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch specials and a dinner menu. It can be reached at 342-0220.

Porter said she had worked with the Nebraska State Fair in food service and for the King Kong Restaurant in Lincoln, Neb. She recently moved to Yuma to be close to her father, Larry Markley — hence the name Markley's Cactus Grill for her new business.

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TRU FIT Yuma is a new health and fitness business headed by Kris Franz, who began life as an overweight child. At age 22, she decided she wanted to be healthy and found the benefits of exercise. Now as a certified personal trainer, her goal is to inspire others.

Her business offers personal training and a variety of group fitness classes for those who have never worked out to the seasoned athlete. Programs include Walk to Run for runners who are just starting out, Boot Camp for a total body workout for every ability level, Working Out for Beginners that provides both cardiovascular and strength training to maximize health benefits, and Personal/Duo Training for those who want a more in-depth fitness plan.

For more information, call 920-9957.

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Paul and Ana Bella DeAnda, owners of Hot Mama Bella Hot Sauce, are having a grand opening Saturday of their commercial kitchen at 663 Main St. in Somerton where they produce their habanero salsas.

The DeAndas have participated in various local events for the past two years as a test run for their products, which they note are “proudly made with Yuma-area lemons.”

Their salsas may be purchased in Yuma at the The Peanut Patch, Estrellita Meat Market, Air Central Heating & Cooling, Redondo Room (behind Garden Cafe), Hank's Market & Butcher Shop and soon to come to Martha's Garden. In Somerton, the salsas are available at Finders Keepers Outlet Store and Carnitas el Taste.

For more information, call 261-7803.

A 3 percent donation will be given every month to Hospice of Yuma in memory of “Mama Bella,” Ana Bella DeAnda's mother.

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Hair Dimensions, 3970 W. 24th St., Suite 102, welcomes Isaac Rodriguez to its team of cosmetologists. He specializes in color, cuts and styles. For an appointment, call 783-3434. The salon is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

A Yuma native, Rodriguez attended Yuma School of Beauty in 2002 and moved to Phoenix to pursue a career in cosmetology. Now with 10 years of experience, he has returned to Yuma.

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The Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch at Yuma International Airport recently was presented the top customer service award among the more than 80 Enterprise branches in Arizona, beating out would-be contenders in Phoenix Sky Harbor, Tucson and Flagstaff.

Enterprise grades branch locations monthly by their profit and customer service, with an expected 85 percent customer service satisfaction. The team at the Yuma airport outperformed the other Enterprise branches six months in a row, coming in first place for both operating profit and customer service scores in fiscal year 2012, said branch manager Mia Jones.

And the Enterprise branch within Yuma International Airport started the new fiscal year by having two employees taking third and fourth places for total sales in the month of August.

In addition, area manager Jen Garcia, who oversees Enterprise branches in Yuma, El Centro and Lake Havasu City, was awarded first place for her performance as Area Manager of the Year for FY 2012.

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Yuma's Classic Rock Jet and the Jet Morning Show with Troy Wilde are returning after a decade-long absence. The Jet will launch on Election Day and be available to listeners online at myjetrocks.com.

Along with classic rock music, Wilde said the program will feature news and advertising that target the Yuma area.

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