Fresno Bee’s People’s Choice Awards 2020: Services

On hot summer days, there’s nothing worse than a broken air conditioner — that’s why Central Valley families rely on tried-and-true Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning to get the job done.

“We’re family owned and operated for 50 years now, that’s our biggest point,” said Jeff Dick, the owner and service manager. “People really want a company that they can depend upon, we’re not going anywhere, we’re somebody they can trust.”

For a family-owned alteration experience with quick results, Sew-N-So is the place to go.

“We have a lot of repeat customers, because we give them a reasonable price and a job that you can count on. We have people who’ve come back for 15 years,” said Patrick Tran, the owner of Sew-N-So. “We have generations of family in this business.”

For many Fresno residents, pets are members of the family. When furry friends need a place to stay, Elaine’s Pet Resorts earns the mark as a home away from home.

The Fresno and Madera locations offer boarding for canines and felines, in addition to daycare, training and spa services for pooches.

Servicing your motor vehicle does not need to be a hassle at Selma Auto Mall, where many brands of cars and trucks are both served and sold all at the same location.

Selma Auto Mall carries 11 brands of vehicles, including Chevrolet, Kia, Nissan, Dodge, Jeep and many more. If your family or business uses multiple vehicles of varying brands, getting everything handled at once saves valuable time.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy its customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially.

Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through 7,400 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com), and mobile banking, and has offices in 32 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 260,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the U.S.

In California, we know saving water is important — that’s why Surf Thru Express uses an environmentally friendly approach to its car washes. One car wash with Surf Thru uses approximately the same number of gallons as a load of laundry, which is much less than using your yard’s hose. By collecting the runoff water used at its washes for treatment, Surf Thru ensures chemicals do not end up in local waterways.

Surf Thru’s monthly unlimited plans are a fan-favorite for customers looking to get their car washed as many times as they want each month.

Take the headache out of organizing a messy wardrobe with California Closets, where a design team is ready to assist nearly anybody in achieving their dream closet. California Closets has a spectrum of storage solutions for a breadth of budgets.

California Closets can work with you on more than just closet space. It offers custom, professional design services for the garage, living room, laundry, pantry and many other rooms of the house.

Fresno State’s mission — to boldly educate and empower students for success — serves as an economic driver in our diverse Central Valley. About 65 percent of undergraduate students at Fresno State are the first in their families to graduate from college, and more than 80 percent of graduates stay and work in the Valley.

For a fourth straight year, Fresno State was ranked among the top 25 national universities by Washington Monthly, a publication known for ranking universities based on social mobility, research and public service. Fresno State was selected alongside six Ivy League institutions and six University of California campuses.

Fresno State was ranked 11th in the nation among more than 700 four-year colleges by Money Magazine for “most transformative college,” described as a school “where students beat the odds by doing better than would be expected from their academic and economic backgrounds.”

For Fresno residents looking for an aesthetic boost without going under the surgical knife, look no further than Body del Sol Medical Spa.

At Body del Sol, non-invasive techniques like FDA-approved CoolSculpting fat removal, laser treatments, chemical peels and medical microdermabrasion serve as popular beauty-boosting alternatives. As a member of the Green Spa Network, using organic materials, the spa also offers treatments such as massages and facials.

Education Employees Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution solely owned by its members. EECU is the 77th largest credit union in the United States, the 15th largest in California, and the largest locally based in the central San Joaquin Valley. It serves more than 302,000 members with more than $3.2 billion in assets.

EECU is a full-service retail financial institution. Checking accounts are free and pay dividends when balances are over $500. Share Savings Accounts, certificate accounts and Individual Retirement Accounts have some of the best rates available. Home loans, consumer loans and credit cards are available for almost any purpose, also with some of the best rates around.

Sit back, relax and get pampered with the signature treatments and spa packages available at Muses Day Spa. It offers luxurious facials like its Signature Anti-Aging Facial, Customized European Facial, Deluxe Illuminating Facial or even a Back Facial to help tough-to-reach areas.

Massage treatments start at $55 and can vary depending on the needs of each client. The spa offers a unique prenatal massage treatment for expecting mothers and couples massages for a side-by-side bonding experience.

For more than 50 years, Jones Cleaning Centers has operated as a family-owned business serving the Central Valley. Jones Cleaning Centers is a full-service cleaning company that does dry cleaning in addition to other home services.

As dry cleaners, Jones Cleaning Centers utilizes environmentally friendly methods and ditches old-fashioned petrochemical smells for a fresher feel and better outcome. It also has a six-point inspection method for an ultra-thorough review of your garments and linens.

PrideStaff provides a personal, friendly environment for Fresno’s job-hunters — and best of all, the service is free for applicants. Employers rely on staffing agencies when they need talented individuals to fill positions, and PrideStaff’s expertise cuts through much of the down time.

Anyone can stop by PrideStaff to see what positions are available, regardless of their employment status. With its referral program, if you refer a friend, you can get up to $100.

Established in 1924, La Vogue Beauty Shoppe prides itself as the longest-running locally owned and operated salon in Fresno. The hair salon offers both the haircutting services of a standard salon and has modern, creative approaches to color for clients looking to go bold.

“The fact that it’s survived all this time is pretty remarkable,” says David Stone, the owner of La Vogue Beauty Shoppe. “People really enjoy our cleanliness, our friendliness. I get a lot of feedback from people that like the boutique environment. It feels like you’re at someone’s house. We have good camaraderie.”

In 2002, Geek Squad became part of Best Buy, and together they’ve provided trusted, expert service for millions of customers. Geek Squad sets up, installs, protects and repairs everything from major appliances to cell phones, including home theaters.

Clovis Glass is a window replacement company heralded by the community for having a transparently trustworthy work ethic.

“Our employees are the ones who do great work and take pride in what they do. Our installers take their time to do the installs correctly, not to make mistakes. Customers appreciate it,” said Fidel Rios, the home improvement manager.

Clovis Glass does everything from an ordinary window replacement to glass replacements on doors and maximizing energy efficiency.

Molly Maid provides professional cleaning services that suit your budget and get the work done just the way you like it. With Molly Maid, customers receive a 24-hour warranty. Housekeepers are insured and not independent contractors. Cleaning is custom to each home’s unique needs.

The Fresno location serves many areas of the Central Valley, including Madera, Chowchilla, Fowler, Kingsburg, Kerman, Sanger and many more cities.

Since 1960, Kids Kare Schools has served Central Valley families by providing care for children between 18 months and 12 years old. The licensed day care center operates 14 different facilities in Fresno, Clovis and Madera.

Kids Kare Schools is committed to offering quality and affordable child care in a safe and friendly environment that engages youth while leaving parents with peace of mind.

Whether you’re buying a house, refinancing your mortgage or wanting to use some of the equity in your home, Wells Fargo has you covered. Wells Fargo is committed to helping its customers achieve sustainable home ownership. It has long applied responsible lending principles in creating home ownership opportunities.

Wells Fargo helps customers find the right loan for them. Use the website’s interactive tool to compare interest rates, payments, and closing costs. Wells Fargo’s support doesn’t end when you get the keys — it’s there for customers as they grow into their new home.

Aqua Nails is a beloved spot for nail designs, pedicures, pampering and a peaceful atmosphere. Let the nail technicians at Aqua Nails work their magic to makeover your fingers or toes.

Elegant touches like stone foot-soaking tubs create a relaxing escape.

For 43 years Granville has been building homes and “creating a brighter future for all we serve.” The company’s philanthropy is known through the Granville Home of Hope.

Plans for 2020 include opening five new neighborhoods in Fresno, Clovis and Friant near Millerton Lake and a new apartment complex near Fig Garden Village.

Jiffy Lube is a leading provider of automotive preventive maintenance. With a national footprint of more than 2,000 franchisee-owned service centers across the country, Jiffy Lube offers a range of services from oil changes and tire rotations, to everything in between. The Jiffy Lube Signature Service Oil Change is a comprehensive preventive maintenance to check, change, inspect and fill essential systems and components of your vehicle.

Tailwaggers provides pet pampering expertise with convenience. As a one-stop shop for grooming, boutique items, and even doggie dental cleanings, Tailwaggers has earned a reputation of solid service.

“We work as a team. There are no independent (groomers) — a lot of shops have booth rentals. Our groomers work for us. We do plenty of team-building,” says Nicole Graham, the owner of Tailwaggers.

Costco Photo Center is your place to make moments last. Professional online photo printing, custom home décor and high-quality photo gifts are just a few clicks away.

Products can be shipped directly to your home or to select Costco locations. Create a Costco Photo Center Account to order prints and create photo gifts. The account includes unlimited online photo storage so you can upload as many photos as you like for free.

When behind the lens at a wedding, Ellie Koleen looks to find the quirks and subtleties that make the couple unique.

In 2014, her business — Ellie Koleen Photography — was born. She has a creative eye, a love for design and a passion to tell stories with photographs. She offers packages that can accommodate small weddings, elopements or larger celebrations. She also photographs family portraits, editorial shoots and boudoir sessions.

Since 1973, Wildwood Pools has pioneered the pool industry in Central California and spearheaded pools needing much less chlorine.

Wildwood Pools has a wide assortment of options for every customer, from custom in-ground spas to fire and water features. Safety-conscious features for families such as automatic pool covers and removable fences are also available.

With 450 sales associates and staff in 11 offices throughout the Central Valley, London Properties is a regional powerhouse in the real estate industry. London Properties aims to build trust in the community so its customers can count on them when making the important decision of buying a home.

The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens offers a plethora of life-enriching amenities for seniors as they transition through life.

TSJG offers four levels of care for retirement options, as well as three restaurants, Monte Carlo, Speranza Grille and Piazza Bistro; and the Valencia, an information hub with a coffee shop that serves Peet’s Coffee & Tea. It also offers a full-service spa, 24-hour fitness center and the Tolladay Theatre.

Residents stay active in the community with trips to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Table Mountain Casino, Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, Woodward Park and the Fresno Philharmonic.

Quality Home Services is a second-generation family-owned company, awarded the 2019 BBB Ethics Award for Marketplace Excellence, and 2016 SunPower National Residential Dealer of the Year.

“As a longstanding company serving the Valley, we have had the chance to make a great impression on homeowners by placing their needs first,” says Marketing Director Cheryl Hansen-Abshere.

This year, Quality Home Services celebrates its 35th anniversary. Fresno and Bakersfield homeowners can call for free estimates on switching to the energy-efficiency lifestyle.

Four Seasons Tanning provides six levels of tanning to help you keep an attractive glow: Low Pressure (Level 1), Medium Pressure (Level 2), High Pressure (Level 3), PURA spray tan booth, Custom Airbrush spray tan and Red Light Therapy services.

Customers are able to customize their tanning program and use a point system for discounts and services.

Clovis Adult Education offers an accredited public education program, with low-cost course options, for students age 18 and older, regardless of immigration status.

Each year, Clovis Adult Education enrolls approximately 10,000 students in the system. It operates a 50,000-square-foot facility with 38 classrooms and eight computer labs.

Membership with AAA can net customers discounts with cruise lines, hotels, car rentals and restaurants. A company travel agent can help plan trips, and provide destination and travel information.

TripTik maps are a favorite of members due to the comprehensive travel information they provide — including the location of restaurants, motels and gas stations.

For more than 20 years, Cobb’s Tree Care has provided local arboricultural services, through Providence Horticulture’s three divisions: Cobb’s Tree Care, Tree DoctoRx and Pest DoctoRx.

“Thank you to our community,” says John Pape, the president of Cobb’s Tree Care. “We want to continue to provide for the community’s tree and landscape health, and pest control needs, above and beyond standard gardening, pest control and tree care, for another 20 years.”

Located in northeast Fresno, Cullinan Education Center stands ready to help whenever students need assistance with achieving success in the academic arena.

Programs include reading and spelling, writing and grammar, math and study hall sessions. The education center also offers an adaptation of the Orton Gillingham method, which is based on more than 80 years of research.

Earlier in 2020, Waterhouse Animal Hospital purchased Saddleback Veterinary Hospital. Soon to be called Waterhouse Animal Hospital Clovis, Dr. Liebau and Dr. Page will continue to provide the best possible care for pets.

Along with full-service veterinary medicine, Waterhouse offers physical rehabilitation and acupuncture therapies, routine and advanced dentistry, plus visiting specialists in cardiology and surgery.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 2:52 PM with the headline "Fresno Bee’s People’s Choice Awards 2020: Services."