The Sun, Yuma, Ariz., Joyce Lobeck column: Animal crematorium now offering service locally [The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.]

Apr. 4--Pet owners who want their deceased pets cremated have another option to having the animals' bodies sent to Phoenix.

Precious Pets, recently started by Warren Beddall, now provides that service locally and even will do individual cremations for pet owners who want the ashes of their pet returned to them. If requested, he also will provide euthanasia services.

Beddall related that he came up with the idea for the animal crematorium after seeing a woman upset and in tears because her dog had died and she couldn't afford to have its ashes returned to her from Phoenix.

He said pet owners who want the service can contact the Humane Society of Yuma at 782-1621 or Foothills Animal Hospital at 342-0448. Or they can call him at 246-6082 if they need to have the animal picked up at their home.

Currently he is only cremating the remains of animals that have been paid for by the owners, but hopes eventually to extend the service to animals euthanized by HSOY.

Beddall said he is licensed by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and uses a high-tech heating and exhaust system so the crematorium creates no smoke or odor.

There's a nice article about Yuma -- and SegaYuma Tours -- in the current issue of Arizona Wildlife Views, a publication by Arizona Game and Fish. The article focuses on the birdwatching opportunities in the Yuma area, especially as the East and West wetlands have begun to mature as wildlife habitat.

Author Dianne Howard acknowledged that she had come to Yuma for a short visit to birdwatch and discovered "it will take more than a weekend" to do everything she found to do here.

Copies will be available during the Yuma Birding and Nature Festival scheduled for April 15-18.

Last fall, Comings and Going had reported Mandarin Palace, 350 E. 32nd St., was under new management and that it would be renamed in the near future.

The future is now here and the restaurant is sporting a sign with its new name of Grand China.

The April issue of Yuma Business Direct is now online at businessinyuma.com.

Featured as the cover story is a profile of Dr. Patrick Aiello, an ophthalmologist who opened a private practice in Yuma a year ago. Today, Aiello Eye Institute has offices in the Foothills, Yuma and San Luis, Ariz., where Aiello provides eye examinations, treatment and surgery.

Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric is featured as the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month. It was honored for the commitment by the longtime local business and owner Mark Hansberger to the community and the chamber.

And Frank Ruiz, developer of the recently opened Top of the Kress, answers questions in the ongoing series on hospitality industry leaders. Top of the Kress, located in downtown Yuma, includes a blues club, banquet room and rooftop lounge.

Wealthcare Financial is a new full service wealth management firm designed to assist clients with the entire scope of financial planning, including financial, retirement and investment planning, insurance and risk management planning, income tax planning and estate planning.

Certified financial planner Steve Schulte can be reached at the office at 3150 S. Catalina Drive, Suite 2, or by calling 726-9536.

The firm is a partnership of Schulte with attorney Larry Deason, Certified Public Accountant Page Misenhimer and Charles Smith, ChFC, CLU.

Bob Olsen, who has been in the insurance business for 30 years -- seven of those in Yuma -- has opened his own insurance agency, Sirona Insurance, at 13147 E. 46th Drive.

As an independent agent, Olsen offers health, life and final preparation insurance products. He can be reached at 342-1212.

Crazy L Feed & Tack has moved from County 14th Street to 3914 E. 41st Place, Suite 2, in Yuma. That's about 1 mile south of the Arizona Market Place swapmeet on Avenue 4E.

The phone number remains at the same at 317-1114.

Tyrone P. Jones, pastor of Calvary Temple of Christ, recently became co-owner of The Coffee Bean Espresso Bar and Cafe, 2450 S. 4th Ave. in the Crescent Center.

He also announced that the coffee shop has been remodeled, changed hours and expanded the menu.

Jones said he's been a patron of The Coffee Bean for 14 years and owner Claudia Diaz has been attending the church where he is the pastor, and recently decided to team up on the business. Besides, he observed, he figures he might as well have a stake in the business, given the amount of money he spends there.

For the 15th consecutive quarter, The Foothills Bank has earned the highest 5-Star Superior rating by BauerFinancial Inc., a leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm.

The local bank earned the designation for its financial superiority in capital adequacy, delinquent loan levels and profitability.

Established in 1997, The Foothills Bank operates through three offices in the Yuma area.

Beginning April 19, Bison Express Shuttle will offer charter service to San Diego along with the daily service it now provides to Phoenix.

The service to San Diego will not go to the airport, but will be available to the seaport for cruises. Also, charters for six or more will be provided to Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park or other destinations people may request in the San Diego area. Future plans include San Diego Padre baseball trips.

For more information, call 345-4615.

Julieanna's Patio Cafe, 1951 W. 25th St., will contribute 20 percent of sales Thursday evening to the 25th anniversary ofP.K. Hodges Southwest Agricultural Golf Tournament to benefit Hospice of Yuma.

Slumber Parties by Melissa Quintero provides an evening out for women 18 and older (despite the name, it isn't a sleepover) while Quintero demonstrates such products as books, lotions, games and other items to "put some sizzle into your love life."

To book a party, she can be reached at 503-3641 or visit www.slumberpartiesbymelissaquintero.com.

Report Comings and Goings to [email protected] or 539-6853.

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Copyright (c) 2010, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

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