New Yuma tavern to feature art, music

There's a new place in town to hang out, enjoy a cold one and perhaps catch someone strummin' on a guitar. The establishment is Strummer's Village Tavern at 3780 S. 4th Ave., Suite E (where the Closet Lounge previously was located).

The tavern is the business of Deb Drysdale and her son, Rollin Mason. And it's located in the Village Shopping Center, which is owned by Drysdale's father, Ray Drysdale. Deb stressed that the family-operated Strummer's is all new with new management and new look, including artwork by local artists.

She explained that the name comes from her son's favorite musician, the deceased Joe Strummer, as well as the live entertainment that will be featured regularly. With a soft opening this weekend, Strummer's is open from noon to 2 a.m. daily and can be reached at 726-1222.

By the way, if anyone is interested in leasing office space at the Village, they can call Realtor Mickey Van Horn at 782-7142.

***

There will be some work going on in the old Target building on 32nd Street to make it more marketable, said Leo Pilkington of Pilkington Commercial, which has the contract. He said the work includes removing some interior wall dividers, carpeting and ceiling to clean up and make the interior more open in an effort to sell the long-vacant property.

***

The Ah-So Sushi and Robata at 3950 W. 24th St. is now called Two Fish. The new restaurant is under the same umbrella ownership as Ah-So but has new management and a new menu featuring Japanese and Korean foods.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for lunch and 5 to 10 p.m. for dinner. On Saturdays and Sundays, it's open from noon to 11 p.m. The restaurant can be reached at the same phone number of 373-9440.

***

The law firm of Garcia, Hengl, Kinsey, Farrar & Villarreal, P.L.C. announces that Meghan C. Scott has been hired as a law clerk.

A Yuma native, Scott graduated from the University of Arizona, summa cum laude with honors, earning her bachelor's degree in sociology in 2008 and her juris doctorate degree in 2011 from the University of Oregon School of Law, along with a statement of completion in environmental law.

She was an associate editor for the Oregon Law Review and president of Phi Alpha Delta-Williams Chapter. She also tutored legal research and writing and offered pro bono and public interest assistance.

The firm practices in the areas of real estate, business planning, contracts, estate planning, commercial transactions, trust and estate administration, litigation, creditor's rights, family law and criminal defense.

***

The new Taco Bell that had been announced for the Foothills area is still coming, said Kathy Zook, executive assistant for Mark Peterson, co-franchise owner for the planned restaurant. Plans got pushed back but the project is now moving forward, Zook said.

Plans are going through the review process for the restaurant, which Zook said is expected to open in early 2012. It will be located off Fortuna Road on North Frontage Road in the Mesa del Sol Commercial Centre being developed by Scott Spencer.

***

Fry's is still vacating its old store in the Foothills in the Pioneer Shopping Center, spokeswoman JoEllen Lynn said last week. She said the company is still determining future uses for the store's fixtures but doesn't plan a public sale.

And to the big question about what business might go into that space, she said there's nothing to report yet.

As for the new store, “the response has been incredible,” she said. “We're hearing that people love the new store.”

***

Last year, the employees of the Radisson Hotel in Yuma took the company's Responsible Business campaign to heart and filled more than 10 large boxes with nonperishable food to help fill the pantry at Crossroads Mission.

This year, the hotel is again putting on a food drive and invites the community to help. Throughout September, the hotel is accepting food donations to benefit the mission.

In turn the Radisson Hotel is giving the community an opportunity to win three romance packages of a one-night stay in the deluxe room for two, a bottle of champagne with chocolate-covered strawberries and an $80 dinner coupon at the Market Wine Bar Bistro. Each time a person donates a nonperishable food item in September, their name will be entered into the drawing (only one entry per food donation each day).

***

Ann Farley is having her annual Silpada jewelry open house and sample sale with 50 percent of the profits going to Hospice of Yuma to support its free wig and prosthesis program.

The open house will be held from noon to 2 p.m. today at the Sunset Terrace clubhouse, 6113 E. Solstice St. off Araby Road. Or people can shop online at www.mysilpada.com/ann.farley and attach their order to the Hospice of Yuma fundraiser.

For directions or more information, call 1-518-221-9409.

***

A grand opening is scheduled for Sept. 28 for a new Kohl's Department Store in El Centro at 808 E. Danenberg Drive.

The store is one of 111 Kohl's stores built since the fall of 2008 according to a prototype that received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) initial certification at the silver level from the U.S. Green Building Council.

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