Comings and Goings - Native New Yorker becomes The Zone

The former Native New Yorker, next to the Shilo Hotel, is now The Zone Sports Bar and Grill.

Owner Dale Hiles explained that the name change came about because the restaurant no longer is a franchise of Native New Yorker but now is an independent business. His business is one of four in Arizona to go independent.

He said the change opens up opportunities for additional entertainment offerings, such as karaoke, live bands on weekends and things to keep kids entertained - like showing cartoons on one of the TV sets.

"We're more family-friendly now," Hiles said.

While the restaurant still serves wings, the change has resulted in some new things added to the menu and daily specials. It also still has a party room.

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The November issue of Yuma Business Direct, the Yuma Sun's monthly business publication, is now posted online at businessinyuma.com.

The cover story features Lorene Becker, who took over as the general manager for Yuma Palms Regional Center in January and is looking forward to all the upcoming holiday activities at the shopping center.

The issue also features Thomas Rush and his financial firm, Yuma Investment Group Wealth Management, as the latest Yuma County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month.

And Tina Clark, the city of Yuma's official historian and archaeologist, is featured in the series on leaders in the hospitality industry. Clark has taken on a new role as program director and curator of cultural resources at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park with the city temporarily taking over operation of the attraction.

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A certificate of occupancy has been issued for Yuma's newest Panda Express at 32nd Street and Avenue 3E, bringing a new restaurant to the Foothills area (it's near the Foothills Walmart Supercenter), reported Alan Kircher, city of Yuma assistant building official.

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Kircher also reported that some interior improvements are being made to the restaurant at 2265 S. 4th Ave., where Las Herraduras will be opening soon.

The space previously was home to Chile Verde, and before that Chester's.

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The Chevron station at 592 E. 16th St. is back in business after the installation of new fuel dispensers, announced John Bornt, general manager for Shay Oil Co. "We now have diesel on every pump."

With the project completed, the station, convenience store and Blimpie's inside the store are open for business again even as the construction work on 16th Street progresses, Bornt said.

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The expansion project for Snap Fitness Yuma at 11274 S. Fortuna Road, Suite C4, in the Pioneer Shopping Center is expected to be completed and unveiled Thursday, reported owner Joshua Schaubach.

Earlier, this column reported that Mr. B's Bicycles had relocated to another space at the Pioneer Shopping Center to make room for the workout center's expansion.

The project is adding 1,300 square feet to Snap Fitness, providing room for additional free weights and cardiovascular equipment. Also, as of Saturday, the center will have a juice bar serving healthy drinks and protein shakes.

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There are new owners of Temptations Women's Fashions at 11274 S. Fortuna Road in the Pioneer Shopping Center.

Previous owner Marsha Dillon says there won't be a big change in the operation, though, as the new owners are her daughter, Debbie Bourgeois, and her husband, John.

Dillon will still be around, at least through the winter months, as a member of the sales staff and to help her daughter through the ownership transition.

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A Place For Everything has become Tranquil Spaces Organizing.

"It better says what I want to do for my clients," explained owner Karen Billingsley.

A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, Billingsley has more than 20 years' experience as a professional organizer.

For more details, visit www.tranquilspacesorganizing.com.

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H&R Block is having an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at all six local offices to provide information on the upcoming tax season.

The open house is also serving as a food drive for Yuma Community Food Bank and toy drive for Toys for Tots. Those stopping by are encouraged to bring nonperishable food or a new toy for the agencies.

Addresses for the drop sites are 661 S. 4th Ave., 260 W. 32nd St., 2674 W. 16th St., 1463 S. Yuma Palms Parkway, 11611 Foothills Blvd. and the office at Sears in Southgate Mall.

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Want to learn to fly? Scott Johnson has brought his light-sport pilot certified flight school to the Yuma area. He's set up his US. Airborne Sport Aviation Center at the Somerton Airport and can be reached at 1-509-780-8377.

Johnson said he's been flying for 30-some years and has worked on a variety of movies and documentaries. He's had a flight school in Washington state for some time but wanted someplace warmer for the winter and Yuma seemed the ideal spot with its year-round flying weather.

Learning to fly a light-sport aircraft is less complicated than getting a regular pilot's license and half the cost, he said.

The FAA has defined light-sport aircraft as simple-to-operate, easy-to-fly aircraft that can be operated by a licensed sport pilot.

Johnson also imports and sells light-sport aircraft from Australia.

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Report Comings and Goings to jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.