By Jenny Callison
Enquirer contributor

Insurance agency opens in Avondale

State Farm Insurance has opened a new sales office at 3494 Reading Road in Avondale. Agents Shelonda Payton and Andre Williams will share the office, offering auto, life, health and business insurance. Financial products are also available through State Farm Bank.

At its grand opening April 16, the new agency hosted the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce's monthly ChamberNet networking event.

Williams, a native of Cincinnati and an Ohio State University graduate, has been with State Farm for five years. Payton graduated from Cumberland University and has an eight-year history with State Farm.

The office is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Evening times are available by appointment.

Information: 872-0111.

Meet Ed, Anthony at chamber auction

Have you ever wished you could see those Furniture Fair spokesmen in person? The Mason-Landen-Kings Chamber of Commerce invites you to do just that.

Anthony Munoz and Ed Hartman will host the chamber's 14th annual auction, "Back to the Basics." The event takes place May 7 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Manor House Banquet and Conference Center, 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road.

All items up for auction have been donated by chamber members and other area businesses. Proceeds will help fund the chamber's scholarship fund, underwrite operating expenses, and defray the cost of membership.

The auction is open to the public, but reservations are required.

Information: 398-6371 or www.mlkchamber.org/ann/auction.pdf.

Men-only salon opens in Symmes

A salon and spa just for men has opened in Symmes Township.

You Guys, at 12082B Montgomery Road, provides stress relief along with stylings.

"The mission of You Guys LLC is to make our customers look and feel their best while in our care," owner Greg Dougherty said. "At our salon, a haircut is not just a haircut; it is an experience. We hope to be an oasis for men."

Dougherty said that every $28 haircut/style includes hot towel service, a temple and neck massage during the shampoo, and a warm stone massage for the shoulders and neck. A fax and copier are available, and during their appointments customers can arrange for valet carwash services by neighboring Car Wash Plus. The salon is equipped with large-screen television and a surround-sound system.

Donna Dougherty, a barber/stylist, manages the salon. There are four stylists. Hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Information: 583-8400 or www.youguys.us.

Service offers aid on health insurance

Word of Mouth Personal Assistant Services is now offering advocacy for individuals and families wrestling with issues related to health care insurance.

The company has assembled a team that can answer questions and resolve issues about health insurance benefits, company president Terry Collins said.

"Our advocates speak the language of health insurance that so many individuals don't understand," he said. "Typical assistance includes coverage issues, claims issues, billing problems, questions about access to care, prescription drug problems and discount negotiating."

Word of Mouth can offer these services to corporate clients as well.

Information: 662-1625 or www.wrdofmouth.com.

New carwash will be see-through

A new see-through carwash is nearing completion at 7725 Alexandria Pike in Alexandria.

All Seasons Car Wash, with its glass walls, is a new concept in the industry, according to co-owner Bill Newman.

"It's safe; you can see everything around you, and it will be well-lit at night," he said. "If this one goes well, we plan to build quite a few more."

In addition to the automated drive-through, the carwash will have three self-service bays. Because of its enclosed construction, the business can operate year-round, Newman said.

Other partners in the endeavor are Merril Hoge and Kevin Desmond.

All Seasons should be open in early May. It's the first automatic carwash in Alexandria, Newman said.

Information: (859) 803-8186.

E-mail jcallison@zoomtown.com