PDF - Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
Transcription
PDF - Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
February 2016 Volume 2 – Issue 2 Chamber Of Commerce Award Dinner BY JOYCE LOBECK Member of the Month, YRMC pg3 Ribbon Cuttings pg6-7 Contact Your Elected Official pg14 Chamber Ambassador & Board Member Profiles pg17 It was quite the evening for the Miller family at the 2016 Yuma County Chamber of Commerce annual awards and installation dinner. In a highly unusual - if not unprecedented – occurrence, husband and wife were both recipients of prestigious awards honoring them for their service to the community. Mike, owner of PHD Yuma (Professional Home Doctors), was recognized as the 2015 Small Business Person of the Yuma for not only having a successful business with 40 employees but also his willingness to say “yes” when he sees a need in the community. His wife, Tawnee, a mother of four and professional photographer who often offers her services for children with cancer, was selected from an impressive list of nominees as the recipient of the Athena Award. The next day the Millers were still in a daze at having the spotlight on them. “We didn’t know people were watching us,” Tawnee said. “We just do what we love to do. Now how are we going to live up to this?” The couple’s community service is a joint effort, she observed, pointing to her husband. “I do the volunteering stuff and he helps out.” Said Mike: “I see how others help the community and I admire them. I look up to people getting awards and never considered ourselves on the same level. We’re not trying to get recognition. We just want to help people. I just get up and go to work everyday. I had no idea anyone was considering me for the Small Business Award.” The award recognizes someone who through his or her independent entrepreneurial spirit plays a vital role in building the community and its economy. Presenting the award was Tom Rush, managing partner of Yuma Investment Group and recipient of the award last year. Rush noted that the award is particularly meaningful as the winner Mike and Tawnee Miller display the awards they received at the is selected from Yuma County Chamber of Commerce dinner. Photo By Joyce Lobeck the chamber’s entire member base. It is a second-generation business, havIt’s also a tribute to the success of the local ing grown from the plumbing company business in this challenging economic time, Mike’s father started as Foothills Plumbing he noted. in 1975. PHD, located at 4275 E. 30th Place, is a “Dad always said that word of mouth is licensed contractor for plumbing services, the best advertising,” Mike said. “We always water damage restoration, fire damage resrespond to people needs and make sure toration, kitchen and bathroom remodeling they’re happy when we’re done.” and bathtub and countertop resurfacing. A few short hours after being honored, The company was formed through a merger Mike’s crew was called out early Sunday of Triple S Plumbing, Personal Touch Reto shore up an apartment that had been surfacing and Professional Home Doctors crashed into by a car. The car struck a crib Restoration to provide a solution to many home improvement and restoration needs See award dinner continued on page 8 under one name. “Bang The Drum” for Yuma! John Courtis, Executive Director 2016 is off to a great start and your Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is doing its best to “Bang the drum for Yuma!” Our Annual Awards and Board Member Installation Dinner was a hit, even though it ran a bit long. The performers from Drum Cafe did a sensational job reminding us of the many things we have to “Bang the Drum” about. We sold out the dinner for the first time ever and I do believe the residents and businesses in Yuma County are ready to embrace our 2 new energy. As a matter of fact, the 2016 theme for the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce is “Bang The Drum for Yuma”. that makes Yuma wonderful. I love it here. We will be here for you to get gas for your return trip home.” In this past year, we in Yuma County witnessed the opening of the Serenity Garden at the YRMC Cancer Center, the creation of our first regulation sized, professional soccer field, the rebuilding of the Stewart Vincent Wolf Creative Playground, the opening of the San Luis business incubator, saw Yuma International Airport win Airport of the Year, and our Visitors Bureau earn a top 20 Dining Experience in the World for “Date Night”. The list of accomplishments for many of you go on and on. Dear members, we have a LOT to “Bang the Drum” for. Or, “Gee, Yuma is so hot, how do you live there?” - OR - my personal favorite, “Wow, isn’t Yuma the front door to Hell?” I think the proper response is: “The entire Desert Southwest is hot in the summer, but we get used to it. It’s a small price to pay for our Winter paradise and glorious weather from October to April. In the summer, we kayak and tube the river, head over to the water park, or the many City pools. The best part is that here in Yuma, we get to our destinations sooner and pay less for our Summer Fun.” It is important to be realistic about our theme and what it will take for it to be successful because the campaign is hard to measure. However, I assure you that as long as we are ALL controlling the message, we can have a say in the improved ‘image’ of Yuma. All too often we do not have a snappy comeback for those that say, “Yeah, I know Yuma, it’s the gas stop between Tucson and San Diego.” We need to practice a response like, “200,000 of us love it here and love that you drop a few bucks here on your way to the beach or the dunes. Yuma is an experience, not a destination, it’s a spirit, a way of life we love and appreciate. There is a generosity of spirit As we “Bang the Drum for Yuma”, we have to make the conversation positive and not let others dictate how we feel about ourselves. In my opinion, we should never defend why we live in Yuma, rather, expound on the countless benefits we enjoy by living here. We do not have traffic, we care deeply about each other and cooperate and collaborate better than any community in the world. We know of our riches, our roots, our values, and our core. For those that want to ridicule it, I say that they would never make good Yumans, anyway. We love it here, and that is all that really matters Everything Rotates Around YOU! = y t l a Loy Rewards Remember To Shop Locally! STORE #2 STORE #3 STORE #1 3414 E. 32nd Ave. 29889 Los Angeles Ave. 965 S. 4th Ave. FREE PICK UP Yuma, AZ 85364 Wellton, AZ 85366 Yuma, AZ 85364 & DELIVERY (928) 782-4379 (928) 785-8473 (928)782-1868 www.edswhiteheadstirepros.com On-Site Commercial Service YUMABIZ 00035976 Sign Up for Ed Whitehead’s Tire Pros’ AWARD WINNING Loyalty Program Kelly Averitt, Office Manager If you have questions about your membership, or any of our events, please call me at 928-782-2567 FEBRUARY 2016 Volume 2 – Issue 2 Published and direct mailed monthly by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce. For information or to ask about submitting articles, call the chamber office at 928-782-2567 or send us an e-mail at [email protected] 928-782-2567 180 W. 1st St., Ste A Yuma, AZ 85364 Mission Statement: “ To Represent Our Membership By Advocating A Healthy Economic Climate Through The Effective Use Of Our Unique Regional Resources To Enhance The Quality Of Life In The Greater Yuma Area.” February 2016 Congratulations to our January Member of the Month – Yuma Regional Medical Center Yuma Regional Medical Center Robert Trenschel, D.O. 2400 S Avenue A 85364 (928) 344-2000 www.yumaregional.org Yuma Regional Medical Center is a 406 bed, Medicare-certified acute care hospital staffed by skilled healthcare professionals who are committed to providing the highest level of patient-family centered care. In additional to serving the community’s general medical and surgical needs, Yuma Regional offers many specialized services, including: • Women and Children Services Center • Level III Neonatal ICU • Heart Center • Cardiopulmonary Care Unit • Outpatient Surgery Department • Wound Care Center • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery Program • Cancer Resource Center Yuma Regional Medical Center also serves as the base for the area’s Emergency Medical System and operates one of the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce busiest Emergency Departments in the state. As a result YRMC is current a new Emergency Department, it should be completed by July of 2016. It will include 72 rooms, of which four will be devoted to trauma, as well as six rooms for check-in. The Emergency Department currently occupies approximately 15,000 square feet of space and the new facilities will expand to 60,000 square feet, hopefully allowing the hospital to handle a predicted increase of patient visits from about 70,000 to 100,000 in the coming years. YUMABIZ 3 C C 4 co n g rat u l atio n s! co n g rat u l atio n s! Welcome to our newest members Local Service / Convenient location / Shaded Parking / Jet Service YUMABIZ February 2016 Community members and business leaders recognized at Chamber of Commerce awards ceremony Edward Arvizo Received the Ambassador of the Year Award at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards and Installation Dinner Staruday Night. He is the senior local officer of Academy Mortgage. Photo By Rachel Twoguns/Yuma Sun By Rachel Twoguns Community members and business leaders were recognized for their work and dedication to the community at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards and Installation Dinner Saturday night. The awards dinner took place at Arizona Western College in the Schoening Conference Center. Debbie Mansheim of Basket Creations and More was chosen as the 2015 Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year. Basket Creations and More is located on 254 S. Main St. and incorporates a full line of specialty gifts such as home accents, custom gift baskets and candles. Mansheim’s shop is also the retail distributor for Bard Date Company and features Medjool dates, date products and date shakes. Yuma County Chamber of Commerce The business was started by Mansheim about 11 years ago with a shop on Gila Ridge Road. There was less need for an individual distributor as various Bardarea date growers got together to process and distribute their product through Date Pac, Mansheim said. As a result, Mansheim began creating gift baskets. About a year after she started her business, Mansheim moved the shop downtown and further progressed into gift and décor items. Mansheim still has dates, however, and can make date shakes. Basket Creations has shipped dates worldwide. When Mansheim’s family moved to Yuma over 30 years ago, Mansheim said she fell in love with the area and is an advocate for Historic Downtown. Mansheim is a past member of the Board of Directors and a former committee liaison for the Military Affairs Committee of the Chamber. Mansheim was unable to make it to the awards ceremony. Edward Arvizo received the 2015 Ambassador of the Year Award. Arvizo is the senior loan officer of Academy Mortgage. Academy Mortgage is a direct lender, which means that Arvizo’s office is equipped to complete the entire loan process in house, his biography noted. All loan processing, underwriting, closings and funding are handled locally. His wife is Ada and they have two children, daughter Giselle and son Aiden. Arvizo also represents himself at almost every Good Morning, Yuma, every Chamber Mixer and Ribbon Cutting, his biography said. “I want to thank my family for allowing me to serve the community because it is a lot of dedication and work,” Arvizo said. “My father who passed away told me to always serve your community and Yuma was a great place to raise your family.I always remember those words from him and I am very happy that the chamber allows me to serve the community.” Mike Miller, of Professional Home Doctors, was named the 2015 Small Business Person of the Year. Professional Home Doctors specialize in plumbing and are “experts in flood and fire restoration.” Miller is part of Yuma Athletics and has a passion for bicycling. He also received the award for his Community Stewardship and his work for the less fortunate. Miller is the father of four children. “I can’t really do this without a great group,” Miller said. “My office staff is wonderful, my employees they are the ones who make this kind of stuff possible and my family is great. I just want to thank everybody for voting for me.” Tawnee Miller is the 2015 Athena Award recipient. The founder of the award, Martha Merz, wanted an award in 1982 for “individuals who excelled in their profession, gave to their communities and helped raise up other leaders.” According to Miller’s biography, she is not one to “want the spotlight” and is a mother, wife and a business person. Miller also feeds the sick and does most of these activities with money out of her own pocket. The Fight for Johnny effort was led by Miller and others and she also assisted various other children. Miller has also served as a photographer for the Chamber of Commerce Mixers, Good Morning, Yuma breakfasts and the Chamber’s ribbon cuttings. “I am just speechless,” Miller said upon receiving her award. “I am very grateful to be a part of this community.” Tawnee Miller Received the Athena Award. This award recognizes those individuals who “excel in their profession, give back to their communities and help raise up ther leaders.” Photo By Rachel Twoguns/Yuma Sun YUMABIZ 5 Ribbon Cuttings ACHIEVE Human Services celebrated the opening of ACHIEVE Enterprise Services on January 9th. ACHIEVE Enterprise Services is a computer and electronic recycling business that will provide technical jobs and training for disabled veterans through the Wounded Warriors program. Donating used TownePlace Suites, Marriott invited the community out on January 14th for an open house and ribbon cutting to celebrate the remodeling that was done. Every room 6 computers to ACHIEVE Enterprise Services will add to the career growth and job development for people with disabilities inclusive of Wounded Warriors. The new recycling business is located at 3220-A East 40th St. in Yuma. For more information, call 928-341-4141. is a suite with a living and working space, a fully equipped kitchen, and either one or two bedrooms. In addition to the suite amenities TownePlace offers complimentary breakfast and internet and has as an onsite exercise room, laundry facility, outdoor pool, and a patio with a barbecue facility. The Yuma TownePlace also offers a meeting space available for up to 25 people. For more information on the Yuma TownePlace Suites visit the staff at 1726 S, Sunridge Dr., call them at (928) 783-6900, or visit www. marriott.com/yumts. W N i W a U N t The new Family Advocacy Center for Amberly’s Place held its grand opening on Friday, Jan. 22. Amberly’s Place is a victim center with a crisis response team to assist victims of domestic violence, child abuse, adult sexual assault and elder abuse. Local and state officials were in attendance, as well YUMABIZ as representatives of the Chamber and many supportive members of the community, and Attorney General Mark Brnovich was the keynote speaker. Tours of the beautiful new facility were available after the ribbon cutting. Executive Director Diane Umphress said this endeavor would not have been possible without the generosity and the support of the community. The new Advocacy Center is located at 1310 S 3rd Avenue and the phone number is (928) 373-0849. February 2016 Ribbon Cuttings l r s w t The Freedom Library celebrated its 20th birthday a day early on Monday the 25th. The mission of the Freedom Library is to promote and understanding and acceptance Wednesday, January 27th the Walmart Neighborhood Market officially opened its doors. The new store is located at 2675 W. 8th St. The store will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Unlike Walmart Supercenter, Walmart Neighborhood markets are more like a traditional grocery store with a pharmacy. y d e w . d e e s e Yuma County Chamber of Commerce of the Freedom Philosophy and the principles of the liberty as expounded in The Declaration of Independence and The United States Constitution including the concepts of free markets, private property and limited government and the moral and intellectual principles which form the basis of a free society. The Freedom Library often has classes on economics and the Constitution and has several events throughout the year to educate the public. For more information on The Freedom Library contact Howard Blitz at [email protected] or visit the office at 2750 S Pacific Ave, Suite B. The new store is about 41,000 square feet and will employ up to 95 full and part-time associates, according to a press release from Walmart. For more information on the new Walmart Neighborhood Market stop in or give them a call at (928) 2614120. The much-anticipated Farley’s Market opened its doors on Thursday January 28th and they celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The store is located at 1110 S. Castle Dome Ave. in the Las Palmillas Shopping Center. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Farley’s YUMABIZ features Costco and Kirkland brands and products not available in the store can be purchased online and picked up at Farley’s Market. The 24,000-square-foot store will employ around 30 full and part-time employees. For more information on Farley’s Market please visit farleysmarket. com or give them a call at (928) 919-7178. 7 award dinner continued from page 1 with a baby sleeping in it, but fortunately the baby was unharmed, he said. Off hours, he is passionate about bicycling and serves as president of Yuma Bike Club, formerly known as Yuma Athletics. The club promotes bicycling through such activities as the North End Classic Bike Race. In addition, Mike goes out of his way to help others, especially children, according to his nomination. In accepting the award, Mike paid tribute to his employees and his family. “There are only 3,000 people I need to thank. I couldn’t do this without my great crew. My family is great. And thank you to those who voted for me.” Next it was Tawnee’s turn at the microphone. For once, she said, she was speechless and simply offered an emotional thank you as she clutched the coveted Athena Award. In presenting the award, Sandra Navarete, representing sponsor National Bank of Arizona, noted that the founder of the Athena Award wanted some way to recognize “individuals who excelled in their profession, gave back to their communities and helped raise up other leaders.” Nominees in addition to Tawnee includ- 8 ed Diane Umphress, Marisela Velasquez, Toni Badone, Terre Catanzaro, Kristan Sheppeard, Roxanne Molenar, Carolyn Knight, Linda Morgan, Nicolle Griffin and Rebecca Drabent. In announcing the winner, Navarete said: “For 2015, the woman that earned the Athena Award is said to be one of those people who do not want the spotlight - rather have it shone on others. Our Athena Award winner is a mother, wife and business person and seems to find the time to help sick children and their families.” Owner of Serendipity Photography, Tawnee opened her studio 12 years ago. She describes her photography as shooting from her heart. “I love picking up my camera … I tell my stories though it.” Along with shooting weddings and other happy occasions, she also freely gives of her time and talent to help others. She photographs children with cancer and their families, including that of Johnny Weathersby, the 14-year-old boy who recently died after a two-year fight against bone cancer. “They are families,” Tawnee said, “not just kids with cancer.” Through the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep program, she also provides professional remembrance portraits for families of babies who are stillborn. “I pick the saddest stories and try to turn The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce annual awards and installation dinner was an eventful evening for the Miller family, recipients of two prestigious awards. The family includes Mike (front, from left), daughter Sylas and Tawnee. Back row from left are children Sedona, Sage and Sloane. Photo Courtesy Of Kim Garcia Photography them around with photography,” she said. In addition, she has been the de facto photographer for the chamber at its mixers, “Good Morning Yuma!” and ribbon cuttings. In a recent development, Tawnee has shut down her studio to focus on market- ing her husband’s business. But she will still do some photography, including the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep program and other special requests. “I can never say no,” she said. It’s a trait that runs in the family. Get Instant Hot Water – Right at the tap, right now Save time, money and septic systems… Tired of waiting for the water to get hot? Seems we’ve all just “accepted” this problem, finding other things to do while we waste water and time while the water finally warms up. How much waste? An average family pays for and wastes about 16,000 gallons waiting for the water to get hot! Imagine the cost. If you have a septic system, imagine the waste and the maintenance cost. Finally, there’s a solution that saves both time and money. Our Instant Hot Water System puts hot water to any faucet in your home within 4 seconds guaranteed. No more waiting. Literally… no more money down the drain. It can be installed in as little as 2 hours and will save you hundreds every year! Call for free information and see how a small investment can pay you big! Just call (928)341-9111 now for info or an in-home survey. YUMABIZ February 2016 Committee Updates LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS Next Meeting, Monday, February 9th, 12:00 PM Old City Hall Conference Room Please RSVP for lunch The Legislative Affairs Committee met on January 11th as planned. The committee will however meet February 9th, which is a Tuesday because the Governor’s State of the State address is Monday the 8th. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Next meeting Tuesday, February 16th, 3PM Old City Hall Conference Room Members Welcome This was the first meeting with Adrian Elder as the Chairman. Reports were given by our community partners and our committee liasons. Five new members were approved including Keller Williams, Kim Garcia’s Photography, Talecris Plasma Resources, Walmart Neighborhood Market, & Farley’s Market. Once the Board went through the formalities a discussion ensued about how to improve the working relationship with the City of Yuma and Yuma County. MILITARY AFFAIRS Next Meeting, Wednesday, February 24th, 7:00 AM American Legion Post 19, Make Every Drop Count Did You Know... One Drip Every Second Adds Up To Five Gallons Per Day! Yuma County Chamber of Commerce 2575 S. Virginia Ave. Office Manager Kelly Averitt is now managing the MAC website Please send items to post on the site that are timely and relevant to her at [email protected]. Please put in the subject line that the email is intended for the MAC website. Larry Curtis is trying to find new ways to get more members involved. All committee members are encouraged to give some ideas about their 2016 plans and goals. Honor guards are struggling finding enough people to attend their events. Larry is also wondering how to get folks that were involved in the gulf wars involved in the committee. AMBASSADORS Next meeting Wednesday, February 24th, 11:30AM Old City Hall Conference Room Members Welcome Tawnee Miller ran the meeting in Chandra Olague’s absence. The Ambassadors ran through the agenda and then discussed helping out with the upcoming Annual Dinner. After that the Ambassadors had a roundtable discussion regarding what they could do to help make the Chamber events run smoother and less work for the office staff. TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Next Meeting Thursday, February 25th, 10:30 AM Chamber Office, 180 W 1st Street, Ste A Gene Dalbey shared the efforts he and the Yuma Region Bicycle Coalition are doing to advocate for biking in Yuma County. Robert Misemer from MCAS spoke about the upcoming Patriot Fest and how traffic will need to enter from County 14th and Avenue 3E using Gate 23 for ingress and Gate 22 for egress. Robert also shared that Fat Albert will be back and he will be flying during the Patriot Fest. Gen Grosse then gave a detailed report on the things going on at the Airport. Including that the airport just turned 50 on December 30, 2015. YUMABIZ 9 10 Please listen in every Wednesday from 8 - 9 am on KBLU 560AM for "Chamber Chatter." We will talk every week about all the good stuff going on in Yuma County and introduce new Chamber members. Presented by Armijo Insurance, State Farm, we will also give you updates on what's going on in Yuma. The Importance of Sales People in a Local Economy By Jerry A. LoCoco, CRE Professional We’ve all experienced that annoying sales call, in the middle of an important project, when what you want more than anything else is to hang up the phone! However, before you hang up, consider that in the past, peddlers trekked between towns and the countryside, bound by the inefficiency of knocking on doors to make a sale. In today’s global economy, professional salespeople operate in a limitless, sometimes virtual, market. However, salespeople, armed with local and regional knowledge, and motivated by pride in their community, maintain an instrumental role in stimulating the local economy. Professional salespeople promote economic activity by identifying market inefficiencies and advising clients to take advantage of these inefficiencies through capital allocation. Local salespeople directly promote a community’s economic activity by stimulating economic transactions in a recession, and sustaining economic activities in periods of growth. Based on interaction with the local market, they identify market inefficiencies and opportunities. Such as, a real estate professional knows locations where a retail store can succeed or whether market conditions are ripe for a new senior living facility on a vacant lot, YUMABIZ and further, if zoning laws permit such uses. Most importantly, sales generated by local salespeople cause an economic multiplier. For example, following the sale of an industrial property, the buyer hires a local construction firm to repurpose the building to office space, whose tenants then hire employees, who in turn patronize local restaurants for lunch. If lunch options are insufficient, a local salesperson identifies this inefficiency, and advises investors to buy or lease space nearby for that purpose. Meanwhile, the local community benefits from additional sales and tax revenue. The result is that one sale of a property multiples and compounds into numerous economic benefits in the local economy. Many feel that the economy and real estate market in Detroit, Michigan will never fully recover, however, despite these negative connotations, Detroit offers some of the highest rates of return on real estate in the country. This reemergence is due in large part to local salespeople as they serve the pivotal role in helping investors, often from other parts of the country or world, identify market inefficiencies and determine the highest and best use of available properties. When local salespeople advise an investor to allocate capital to benefit from market inefficiencies, the investor, salesperson, and more importantly, the community, all benefit. February 2016 Yuma County Chamber of Commerce YUMABIZ 11 Researching Salaries Comprehensive salary data CareerOneStop’s “Salary Info” provides average wages for more than 800 occupations. See how wages compare in your local area, your state, or across the nation. With Salary Info, you can: • View data for an occupation at the zip code or state level • View high, median, and low wages for the occupation you select • Switch between hourly and yearly wages for the occupation • View the latest data comparing national and local wages • Explore additional information on an occupation Patrick Goetz Need help figuring out a salary range for a position? Doing some salary research can help you stay competitive in your hiring process. CareerOneStop’s “Salary Info” tool is a great place to start. 12 How do I get started? Go to http://www.careeronestop.org/ businesscenter/ and click on “Recruit & Hire/Identify Your Hiring Needs/Research Salaries”. Get started by entering an occupation and location. Enter an occupation by typing a job name or keyword in the search box, or by clicking “List of occupations” to browse occupation titles. Enter a location by typing a city (you must include the state) or state or ZIP code into the search box If you enter a city or ZIP code, your results will reflect the large regional area that your city or ZIP code is part of. Once you click “Search” you’ll see a table showing the low, median, and high salaries—both hourly and yearly—for the location you entered, as well as the state and national comparison. What is the difference between High, Median, and Low salary information? • “High” reflects the salary that 90% of workers earn less than and 10% earn more than. • “Median” reflects the salary that 50% of workers earn less than and 50% earn more than. • “Low” reflects the salary that 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more than. Does the salary information include parttime workers? Yearly wage data applies only to workers with full-time, year-round schedules. The hourly wage data includes information for part-time and part-year workers. Need assistance with finding salary information or with other workforce issues? Contact your Business Service Representative at 928-329-0990 or visit http://www. careeronestop.org/businesscenter/. Information obtained from http:// www.careeronestop.org/businesscenter/ Book Your Winter Events, Stress Free, Right Here at Yuma Golf & Country Club The Club provides a classic and elegant feel with beautiful views of the course. • Quality service • Experienced chefs • Affordable prices • Experience the club regularly with our affordable, flexible membership options Contact us today (928)726-4210 [email protected] www.ygcc.org YUMABIZ February 2016Y - / Your Healthcare Team Receiving Prestigious Distinction in Quality AGAIN AGAIN & AGAIN... Yuma County Chamber of Commerce The best awards aren’t just given, they’re earned. By providing high quality care to patients every day, Yuma Regional Medical Center continues to earn prestigious quality awards and accreditations, comparing your healthcare team to the best hospitals across the nation. We remain inspired by YOU – our community, family and friends – to continue to earn prestigious distinction… again, again and again. YUMABIZ 13 14 BOOTH SPACE IS AVAILABLE “Get Your Happy On” CITY OF YUMA To contact your City of Yuma officials, visit www.YumaAZ.gov, or call 928-373-5002. Mayor Douglas J. Nicholls, [email protected] Deputy Mayor William Craft, [email protected] Edward C. Thomas, [email protected] Gary Wright, [email protected] Gary Knight, [email protected] Jacob Miller, [email protected] Michael Shelton, [email protected] March 29 — April 3, 2016 You can have your business, school, church or non-profit organization featured in front of tens of thousands of people for only $350.00 in the busy Theater Building You can start planning for your open entries for the annual Yuma County Fair. Open entries include horticulture and floriculture, home economics, crafts and hobbies, foods, fina arts, student arts, china painting and photography. You may enter your items in the fair on Saturday, March 19 or Sunday, March 20, 2016. Call for details! Your Event Could Be Here! Call us today to get information on using the many facilities of The Yuma County Fairgrounds. Groups of 70 to 7,000 can have an event in the Theater Building, the rodeo grounds, or you can have a huge outdoor festival, BBQ or rally on the midway grounds. Your Yuma County Fairgrounds (928)726-4420 Mayor Martin Porchas, [email protected] Vice Mayor Gerardo Anaya, [email protected] Carlos Gonzalez, [email protected] Miguel Villalpando, [email protected] Jose Yepez [email protected] Luis Galindo [email protected] Laura Ramirez [email protected] TOWN OF WELLTON To contact the Wellton Council , visit http://town.wellton.az.us/ or call 928-785-3348. Mayor Cecilia C. McCollough [email protected] To contact your San Luis City Council, visit http://cityofsanluis.org Mayor Pro Tem Vickie Bornt [email protected] or call 928-341-8520. Alejandro M. Bejarano Mayor Jerry Sanchez, Lisa J Jameson CITY OF SAN LUIS [email protected] Vice Mayor Matias Rosales, [email protected] Ruben Walshe, [email protected] Africa Luna-Carrasco, [email protected] Maria Cecilia Ramos, [email protected] Mario Buchanan Jr, [email protected] Gloria Torres, [email protected] CITY OF SOMERTON To contact the Somerton City Council, visit www.CityofSomerton.com or call 928-722-7400. YUMABIZ YUMA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS To contact your Yuma County Board of Supervisors, visit www.YumaCountyAZ.gov, or call 373-1010. Chairman Russ Clark [email protected] Lenore Stuart [email protected] Russell McCloud [email protected] Marco A. “Tony” Reyes [email protected] Gregory S. Ferguson [email protected] February 2016 A Airport’s highlights – A glimpse of the past Yuma, Arizona: In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the Yuma County Airport Authority has compiled a collection of the airport’s highlights and memories over the decades to share with the community as a monthly publication, beginning with memorable events that occurred in the month of January. The Yuma County Airport Authority was established on December 30, 1965 and took over the operation of the airport January 15, 1966. The earliest January articles we have on file are from January 1919 and involve Major T.C. Macaulay, a commander of Taliaferro Field, who intended to make a round trip from Texas to San Diego in a bi-plane over a forty-eight hour period. It was reported that Major Macaulay flew over Yuma on January 23rd, 1919 at 9:50 am. Major Macaulay was successful in his efforts but offered warning that aircraft are difficult to control and people should allow the plane a good amount of space to land. A dedication of the airport was held on January 26th, 1963 complete with an open house for the community, aircraft static displays, concerts performed by Indian Band, Kofa High, Yuma High, United States Army Band, Third Marine Aircraft Wing band, and a demonstration by MCAS Yuma at Yuma International Airport. Mr. Paul Burch nominated F.C. Braden to fill the position as Airport Manager in January 1970. Mr. Braden would serve with the Airport Authority in many roles throughout the next decades. After a few years in this position, Ms. Braden transitioned onto the Board of Directors and in January 10, 1977, presided over the Airport Authority as the new president. Today, every passenger or person will notice the beautiful terminal we have today which is dedicated to Mr. Braden also knows as “Frosty” for all his hard work and commitment to getting the terminal built. Providing commercial airline service for the community was back then, and remains a top priority of the Airport AuthorYuma County Chamber of Commerce ity and its staff. In January 1972, Airport Manager F.C. Braden and Mr. Paul Burch made the motion for the Airport Authority to underwrite Cochise Airlines for three months with two flights roundtrip between Yuma and Phoenix daily. This agreement included guaranteeing four passengers per flight to be averaged out over the month. In under a decade, commercial air service at Yuma International Airport had grown from 4 passengers per flight to 44 passengers per flight. In January 1981, Cochise Airlines introduced its new 44-passenger Convair planes that will begin to fly out of Yuma International Airport. Cochise president, Ken Cardella offered public walk-through tours of the new plane at the airport. Cochise is required by the FAA to provide passenger and baggage security checks due to the larger aircraft. The Board of Directors re-elected Bob Pancrazi as a board member, and members approved assessment of a $3.00 landing fee for commercial planes stopping here to go through the customs facility. The fee helps offset the cost of maintaining the customs office where traffic is heavy because it’s quicker to get processed here than at the Mexicali office. Manager, Ed Murphy’s announcement of new parking lots in front of the airport terminal and fixed base operators will provide relief for airport and car rental customers, and Paul Kolodziejczyk was selected by the board to take the late Paul Burch’s place on the five-member board. In January 1976, James B. Rolle, Jr. was named as President of the Airport Authority’s Board of Directors. His active roles in aviation led to the Airport Authority dedicating the other airfield under the Authority’s direction known today as Rolle Airfield formerly known as Aux 4. The Airport Authority’s Board of Directors approved their regular meetings shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month at the hour of 4:00 o’clock pm in January 1982 in an effort to establish consistency benefitting stakeholders and the general public. sure the airfield’s infrastructure is safe for pilots and their aircraft. In January 1987, the Airport Authority obtained permission from ADOT to use excess funds in the State Apron Grant to install a water main to serve the West General Aviation Area. The addition of the water main allowed the Airport Authority opportunities for future growth of aviation related businesses and facilities. Airport Director, Gladys Wiggins shares, “Re-visiting the past is a great way to not only learn about our community’s history, but to also bring back to life, if only for a few moments, and recognize the people who contributed to making Yuma a great place for us to enjoy with our families. If you are interested in scheduling a tour of airport to learn more about Yuma’s rich aviation history, please give our office a call at (928) 726-5882. The Airport Authority has a close relationship with the FAA and ADOT to en- The Airport Authority has, and continues to work closely with the City of Yuma and Yuma County throughout the continued growth of our community. On January 8, 1973, then Airport Manager, W.M. Cargill, introduced local architect Jim Liberty who provided proposed changes to the airport’s entrance based upon the upcoming widening of Pacific Avenue from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. The Airport Authority suggested minor changes and requested an estimate of cost before completing the action. Another example of the Airport Authority’s collaboration with the City of Yuma and Yuma County was in January 1980, during the establishment of important land development zoning and noise contours around the airport to ensure the safety and protection of residents, as well as the airfield itself. Other noteworthy events include Airport YUMABIZ 15 Planning a successful transition By Randy Nelson Are you ready to retire? Would you like Mom or Dad to finally retire so you can take over the business? This year I believe most small business owners have outlast- 16 ed the recession and have finally decided to retire or sell the business. The nice thing is that either the business or the buyers are now strong enough to qualify for financing to make it all happen. Stepping back a little let’s talk about 2 things today, 1. Preparing the business for sale 2. Qualifying for the financing to purchase the business. When you sell a business you should be looking at the same things the person financing the transaction will be looking at. • What is the purchase price you are looking for and does the business make enough profit to pay for the additional debt leaving enough for the new owners to live on? • Are the records up to date and accurate? • Who are you selling to and are they a good candidate to be successful? • Do you have an itemized list of everything you are selling and letting the buyers know what is not for sale? • Are you working with a Lawyer or Title Company to make sure the transaction is properly documented? • What will you do if the new owners are not successful and you end up with some part of the business back? • Are there any surprises in store for the buyers like past due debts, bad credit history, or lawsuits? For the buyer do you know what you are going to need to qualify for the loan? • Do you have experience managing others, industry expertise, education required to run a business? • How is your credit report looking and how much are you able to invest from your own resources? • Did anyone ever tell you the owner will be working longer and harder than any of the employees? YUMABIZ • You will be the one responsible for the success of the business and its employees. • Can you make decisions? • What is the minimum you will need to take home to maintain a lifestyle? • What shape is the business and it’s reputation in? • Is there a new competitor coming to town that may greatly affect the business you are purchasing. Buying a business is going to be a hard decision for anyone so it is best to go into the deal with open eyes. This year we seem to be helping a lot of new owners get into business so please consider us as a business resource to help in all you needs. February 2016 Profile: Ambassador of the Month - Valerie Millsom Valerie Millsom (Gaudreau), is the Director of Marketing and Public d Relations at Yuma Investment Group Wealth Management. Valerie really s enjoys her job at YIG and takes great pride of being a part of the commusnity. Valerie is the Vice President of the Navy League, Board member of dthe Ballet Yuma, Member of Sunrise Rotary, member of P.E.O. and being an Ambassador for the Yuma Chamober. Valerie loves being a part of this community and wants to make a difference in Yuma. Valerie was born in Vallejo, Ca., raised in San Diego and moved to Yuma in 2012. Valerie has three sons that are her world. Jonathon (31), Dustin (25) and Grant (23). Valerie lost her father in 2009 to Leukemia and her mother in 2010 to brain cancer. She has walked the 3-day 60 mile Reading the Yuma Sun Helps you impress your boss Yuma Sun is full of news, events and ads that you can use everyday. We won’t even take credit when your boss asks how you know so much. Local News. Anytime. Anywhere. breast cancer three years in a row in honor of her mother and father. Profile: Board Member of the Month - Elyse Tera In her 15+ years as a professional healer, Elyse Tera has accumulated over 3,000 hours of training in Chinese Medicine, including specializations and professional development in Shiatsu, Chinese Medical Massage, Classical and Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Acupuncture. Elyse is a past president of the Arizona Society of Oriental Medicine and Acupuncture. Elyse continues to hone her craft through professional development. She has taken several classes and attended seminars regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas, Acupuncture for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Pharmacology and Drug Interactions, and Healing Community Trauma Training. Most recently Elyse has partnered with YRMC’s Cancer Center to provide Supportive Care services for its Yuma County Chamber of Commerce patients. Acupuncture, along with massage, meditation, and lifestyle classes, are a part of the available at Yuma Regional Cancer Center, to help patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer recover faster and with less side effects. YUMABIZ 17 Time To Send The Elevator Back Down 18 Greg LaVann Brace yourself! I am going to shower you with statistics and metrics in this editorial as well as a stark social reality. America is browning at a blinding speed and the future success of Arizona will hinge on the Latin population. Systematically we have done a poor job of raising the educational attainment standards within our fastest growing population segment yet have continued to till the fields of prosperity with their industrious spirit and perseverance. We have failed to ingrain the same diligence to laborious work as to scholarly success. Tethering ourselves to the academic status quo will only compound the problem like a healthy stock portfolio. Let the numerical onslaught begin… According to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, by 2020, 65 percent of all jobs in the economy will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. However, only 35 percent of Latino adults in Arizona have any post high school training and a mere nine percent of Latino adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. To give that a more personal context, in Yuma County only 28% of adult Latinos over 25 have post high school training and merely 8% have college diplomas. Latino students are the largest proportion of our state’s total K-12 population yet Latino students trail their white peers in almost every education assessment category, including high school graduation rates. According to the Department of Education’s 2014 Dropout Rate study, Latino’s were 2x as likely to drop out of high school as their white counterparts. This is extremely concerning when you reflect on the fact Yuma’s population is 62% Latino as compared to the national average of 17%. Continuing in the vein of dismal cultivation of talent, Arizona’s Latino college graduation rates are a deplorable 10% versus nonHispanic White’s performance of 31% (ASU). It is also no secret that the correlation between educational achievement and income disparity are inseparable which is illustrated by the fact that 58% of Arizona’s Latino’s live in poverty (National Center for Children in Poverty). Poverty is a key determinant in college readiness and attainment. Eighty nine percent (89%) of Arizona’s public assistance recipients have only a high school diploma or less (Education Pays 2013 Study). “It is imperative for Arizona’s future economic growth that community leaders from all sectors make Latino student success a priority in Arizona. Latinos will make up the majority of Arizona’s workforce pipeline tomorrow and far into the future. Improving Latino college success will contribute to Arizona’s ability to expand, attract and retain vital growth industries, and ultimately, to transform Arizona from a low-skill, service economy to a high-skill, knowledge-based economy.” – Dr. Michael Crow-President of ASU. Regardless of ethnic background we are in this race together. A cultural shift on how we teach our Latin citizens, invest in their scholastic growth and better understand the systemic challenges that have professionally retarded a lineage of residents is a good start. “If you’ve done well, it’s your obligation to spend a good portion of your time sending the elevator back down.” Basket Creations and More LLC OP EN AL LY EA R Retail Distributor For Bard Date Co, LLC. Gift Baskets Jewelry Gourment Foods Corporate Gifts Southwest Souvenirs Speciality Gifts Medjool Dates Baby Gifts www.barddate.com www.basketcreationsyuma.com Visit Us in Historic Downtown Yuma! Located at 245 S. Main Street Yuma, Arizona 85364 YUMABIZ 341.9966 928. February 2016 WE MEAN BUSINESS! 2014 Arizona SBDC Success Award Winner Fast, Dependable Service with 8 on-staff techs 928-343-2298 340 S. Main Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 www.yumaofficeequipment.com 00034934 S C o t ’ S 1 3 th Y e A r i n Y u m A - b A C k b Y p o p u l A r d e m A n d ! Great Energy, Big Fun! A roCkin’ tribute to the king Starring: Scot Bruce Friday, march 11, 2016 at 7:00 pm TickeTs Are On sAle nOW! Proceeds benefit Yuma Council for CASA, Inc. This Year’s concert is At The Yuma civic center Y.C.C.I. supports the needs of negleCted Thank you, thank you and abused ChIldren In Yuma CountY very much! THIS IS THE young ELVIS THAT AMERICA FELL In LoVE WITH! AdVAnCe tiCketS: Adults $20. At the door: $25.00 Children (12 & under) $15.00 tickets available online at www.yumaaz.gov For more information call: Civic Center: 373-5040 CASA: 314-1830 00033952 Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Come Early for the Costume Contest! Big Dance Contest at Intermission! PRIZES - PRIZES! YUMABIZ 19 Highway 95 Bridge Construction Imminent By Chuck Wullenjohn For many years, YPG commuters and other motorists have been forced to stop their cars and wait, sometimes for hours, when floodwaters rage through Fortuna Wash, forcing a halt to Highway 95 traffic. 20 It was a too-often occurrence, one which caused frustration and stress. But those days are soon to end. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) will soon begin construction of a 600 foot bridge over the wash that will enable traffic to flow back and forth smoothly throughout the year, high above floodwaters. Over 2500 Yuma residents work at the proving ground, most of whom reside in Yuma and commute back and forth each day. Additionally, thousands of critical military shipments traverse Highway 95 each year, as it is a key proving ground artery. A great many details are coming together now, with planners estimating that the newly constructed bridge will be open for traffic late this year. Construction of an asphalt paved detour that will route traffic around the site of the bridge will be constructed soon and go into use in March. Work will be conducted on a Monday through Friday basis, with no weekend work anticipated. The new bridge will be elevated high above any estimated Fortuna Wash floodwaters. ADOT planners studied rainfall totals over the past 50 years and designed the bridge to easily handle the worst recorded storm. They estimate the span will have a minimum life of at least 50 years, but, most likely, many more. The bridge will be constructed from 10,000 cubic yards of concrete and 2 mil- lion lbs. of steel reinforcement bars. It will be of the “box culvert” design and consist of 15 concrete cells. Three lanes will be initially constructed, but the bridge will allow for future expansion into two lanes of traffic in each direction. When traffic is forced to detour to avoid bridge construction in March, the speed limit may be reduced and motorists will have to keep an eye out for slow moving agricultural vehicles and bridge construction traffic. ADOT estimates that trucks and other construction vehicles will carry about 10,000 loads of materials across the temporary road during the construction period. Obviously, vigilance will be necessary by all drivers. “Motorists are advised to drive slowly in project areas,” said Paul Patane, ADOT Yuma district engineer. “We will work to minimize delays, but occasional delays are a reality. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.” Planners aim for traffic to begin flowing over the new bridge sometime in November of this year. We can customize or personalize virtually any item. 00034912 Gemstones set in Gold, Silver Platinum or White Gold Diamond Earrings, Pendants, & Rings 24 Karat Jewelers Awards & Engraving 12 Month, No Interest Financing Available O.A.C. 2390 S. Ave. B (@24th) · 928-782-3306 YUMABIZ February 2016 Concerns? Ask us! The City of Yuma serves all its residents, plus businesses and visitors, regardless of viewpoint, ideology, religious belief, etc. It’s tough, because a number of individuals feel so strongly about their own beliefs, they think others should be made to adhere to c their beliefs, too. Of course we can’t be all things to all d people all at the same time, so criticism d comes with the territory. Growing a thicker l skin becomes an unwritten part of the job description for every City employee. Our n keen awareness of the need to be as evend handed as possible in all we do is both a beacon of our customer service approach and a source of pride among staff members. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Council actions or regulations we are obligated to apply evenly to all, tension is eased y when all parties understand that representative democracy is not the equivalent of o each person getting to always have his or her own way. However, there is one oddity that makes things better for nobody: The person who goes public with an opinion of g the job the City is doing that is not based on facts we’ve previously presented, whether in open meetings, on our website, or in news articles. This person’s publicly shared opinion – whether in letters to the local newspaper or on websites or social media – not only spreads the misinformation to other members of the public who also have not looked up the information from city resources, but also creates a lasting, searchable record of discontent that prospective business leaders, investors, visitors or relocation prospects find when they search for information about Yuma. And would you relocate to a place where a whole bunch of articles were printed making local leadership appear irresponsible, inept, or out of touch? One city resident recently decried such behavior during the Call to the Public section of a January Council meeting, calling this and other similar free speech “verbal graffiti.” In a recent example of this verbal graffiti, one author of a letter to the Yuma Sun posed four skeptically worded questions, all of which the City previously addressed durYuma County Chamber of Commerce ing open meetings within the past year. Not only that, but the author’s proposed solutions to the issues the City has already been acting on were subjects of prior discussion, with the determination that such actions would do more harm than good. (Which economic model, for example, suggests that cutting pay gives employees more money to spend in the local economy?) Citizens are welcome to approach us seeking the facts behind the issues that concern them. The City puts dozens of documents – from our budget, our audit and our General Plan to our entire city code – online via its website, www.yumaaz.gov. It’s not often easy for someone new to that site to know what to look for and where, thus our main switchboard (928-373-5000) is open during business hours (7:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other Friday) for a live local resident to help you out. All City Council meetings and worksessions are open to the public, but if you are unable to attend, you can watch replays on our cable channel (channel 73 for Time Warner Cable digital subscribers), or, better yet, go back and watch previous meetings online via links provided on the City’s website, www.yumaaz.gov, or directly via yuma. peg.tv. And if you just want answers to your questions but don’t want to go looking up the facts for yourself, you can make an appointment with City of Yuma staff from the department applicable to your issue, or to City Administration. We have a saying at City Hall: We want to provide the best service we can at the lowest cost, because we live here and pay taxes here, too. having the Yuma Sun delivered to your business makes sense The Yuma Sun is full of news and ads. Perfect to keep up on what affects your business community. Call (928) 783-3333 to Start Delivery Local News. Anytime. Anywhere. Create Better Health & Energy Wellness for Women Stephanie Martin has been teaching yoga and wellness workshops for over 20 years. She is a certified teacher and mind, body wellness practitioner specializing in Yoga Therapy, Holistic Nutrition, and Wellness Coaching. Her primary focus is on teaching women how to bring balance back into their lives and create a more easeful way of living. Group Classes, Workshops & Retreats Aromatherapy* Nutritional Counseling*Life Coaching & Personalized Wellness Programs Private Yoga Therapy for personalized home practice* athletic injuries* chronic conditions* depression & anxiety. I would love to hear about what you want to change! If you are ready to make a sift to better health & energy and learn how to Age Well contact me today. 928-344-0078 250 W. 24th St. Suite O www.stephsholistichealing.com [email protected] YUMABIZ 21 Yuma Home to APS’s First Microgrid, Other Infrastructure BY ANNA CHAULK We all call Yuma home for one reason or another. You might be here for our unlimited sunshine, our stunning winters or our booming agriculture, but I have one more thing to add to your hometown pride: reli- 22 able electricity brought to you by modern infrastructure. Case in point: • Yuma is home to the 35-megawatt Foothills Solar Plant, the first-ever solar project built on state trust land and the largest photovoltaic solar plant in APS’s fleet. • Last year, Yuma saw the completion of a new 112-mile, high-voltage power line that serves as an extra extension cord between Phoenix and Yuma. At the time of construction, the line was the largest utility project in the West. • This month, we will be breaking ground on a microgrid that will make Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma the first military base in the nation to secure 100-percent backup power. A microgrid is an industry term used to describe a small-scale power grid that can operate independently or in conjunction with the area’s main electrical grid. APS has taken an industry lead to find innovative ways to increase customer and system reliability and meet future resource needs by partnering with customers on microgrid projects, like the one here at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma. Specifically, this project is a low-emission microgrid network that can generate 25 megawatts (MW) of electricity at MCAS. This microgrid system would provide 100 percent of the backup power needed for MCAS Yuma in the event of a grid disruption, enhancing the base’s reliability and security. Having come from a military family, it makes me proud to work for a company that values collaboration with our nation’s military, especially those stationed right here in our state. According to MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer, Colonel Ricardo Martinez, “This is a historic moment for the Marine Corps, Department of the Navy and Department of Defense. We are moving toward an energy secure future and we are proud that MCAS Yuma has made such a significant step toward that goal.” This is also a big step for APS as we are constantly seeking new ways to improve reliability. We see microgrid projects like this one as opportunities to partner with our customers to improve the grid’s seamless operation. During normal grid operating conditions, this facility could provide peak power to APS customers in the Yuma area when they need it most, like on those summer afternoons when the mercury is creeping toward 120 degrees. This project is part of a microgrid initiative that serves as an example of how we are taking a proactive industry lead to find innovative ways to increase reliability and plan for the future. So rest assured if growth is part of your business plan, APS will continue seeking state-of-the-art solutions to ensure reliable power for your expansion and whatever it is that drives your hometown pride. Investing in Arizona We believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to the growth and vitality of the communities we serve. That’s why we partner with local business leaders to help attract new jobs and investments to our state. Every dollar that goes back into our community helps create a stronger, more vibrant economic future for all Arizonans and that’s a goal well worth achieving. aps.com YUMABIZ February 2016 Headed for Yuma Lettuce Days! We’re just over one month into 2016 and already the Yuma Visitors Bureau has treated hundreds of residents and visitors to some uniquely Yuman experiences, from our Date Night Dinners to the wildly popular Field to Feast tours – and the fun doesn’t stop in February! Yuma Lettuce Days – a familyfriendly agri-culinary feastival down on the University of Arizona’s Yuma Agricultural Center – is right around the corner. Rounding out Ag Week, this two-day event is jam-packed with live entertainment, equipment displays, farm tours, fresh produce for the picking, cooking demonstrations, food and beverage tastings, kids’ ag-tivities and so much more. On February 27th and 28th, join us in celebrating our community’s leading industry with experiences that will educate and food that will make you salivate! Spare yourself the wait at the gate and pre-purchase your tickets at the Visitor Information Center at 201 N. 4th Avenue in Yuma. One-day entry costs $7 per person, or save with two-day passes at $10 per person. In addition to admission, tickets will also be on sale for the farm tours and food tasting events, but purchase early because these will sell out quickly. Yuma area businesses and organizations have so much going on in February that we cannot possibly list them all here. Check out the impressive line-up at VisitYuma.com/ events.html for a full listing. Want the latest and greatest happenings sent directly to your email? Sign up for our free events e-newsletter at VisitYuma.com. Yuma County Chamber of Commerce So Much More in January: Feb. 5 – Fort Yuma Rotary’s Mardi Gras Party (Main Street in Historic Downtown Yuma) Feb. 5 – Tribute to Motown and R&B Greats (The Palms RV Resort) Feb. 6 – Somerton Pet Palooza (Main Street and State Avenue in Somerton) Feb. 6 – The Caravan Film presented by Saddles of Joy (Historic Yuma Theatre) Feb. 6 – Yuma River Daze – Boogies, Brews and Blues Festival (Gateway Park) Feb. 12-14 – 71st Annual Yuma Jaycees’ Silver Spur Rodeo (Yuma County Fairgrounds) Feb. 18 – Ghost Trolley Tour (Sanguinetti House Museum) Feb. 19-20 – Yuma Hamfest (Yuma County Fairgrounds) THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA - YUMA Feb. 20 – Art in the Park presented by Yuma Fine Arts Association (Gateway Park) Feb. 21 – Hank Days Celebration Car Show & BBQ (12436 S. Foothills Boulevard) Feb. 24-25 – Southwest Agricultural Summit EARN YOUR UA DEGREE IN YUMA Feb. 25-27 – Yuma Art Symposium (Yuma Art Center) Feb. 27 – Patriot Festival (Marine Corps Air Station Yuma) Feb. 27-28 – Yuma Lettuce Days (University of Arizona Ag Center – 6425 W. 8th St.) • Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees • Easy Transfer from Arizona Western College • Online & In-Person Courses 928-210-7202 YUMABIZ uayuma.arizona.edu 23 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID YUMA AZ PERMIT NO 42 The world’s smallest medical device to lower eye pressure can help eliminate your need for daily eyedrops. Add this step to your cataract surgery today. Patrick D. Aiello, MD Elliott Snyder, OD An Exciting Technology For The Treatment of Glaucoma Scot Class, OD We Care About Eye Care... You’ll See! Two Offices To Serve Your Needs 275 W. 28th Street 11551 S. Fortuna Rd., Suite E 928-782-1980 www.yumaeyedoctor.com Se Habla Español 00079719 24 YUMABIZ February 2016