Business notebook: Ladies Night Out next Thursday

Warwick - Next Thursday evening the Warwick Merchants Guild will celebrate its 10th annual “Ladies Night Out.” The rain date will be Friday, Aug. 24. Each year the popular event attracts both visitors and local residents to Warwick’s downtown area for special promotions, music and refreshments offered by participating businesses. Both men and women are invited but the emphasis and focus of this event is on women’s health, fitness, beauty and fashion. Participating merchants will offer extended shopping hours, refreshments, special treats and sales. Visitors can also enjoy dancing to music provided by DJ Sebastian Monte or simply relax at an outdoor café. An astrologist is expected to be on hand to see what the stars may have in store for you. And in addition to special promotions offered by many of the shops along Main Street and Railroad Avenue, outside vendors will also be offering gifts and services in booths and tables along the sidewalks. There’s also a special event. Country Life, a new business at 40 Main St., will be opening for the first time that same evening. Everyone is invited to meet the owners, enjoy a catered spread and find out what’s happening at the former home of Port of Call. The crowning of the “Queen,” by Mayor Michael Newhard is one of the most popular events during each year’s “Ladies Night Out.” Don’t forget. This Saturday, August 18, is the deadline for submitting your nomination for “Queen for a Day.” And on Monday, August 20, members of the Warwick Merchant’s Guild will select the lucky winner. “Queen for a Day,” is an opportunity for a special lady to be recognized by her family and friends for her generous spirit, caring heart and selfless nature. The winner, who will be crowned in Railroad Green Park, will receive an assortment of gift certificates and merchandise valued at more than $1,000. It’s not too late to pick up a nomination form at Style Counsel Men on Railroad Avenue or Style Counsel Women on Main Street. But they must be returned this Saturday. Under new management Andrea Huffman was one of the first managers of the Backyard Grill when it first opened in 1995. That position was intended to be temporary and designed to help the new business get off to a good start. But now Huffman, who lives in Warwick with her husband, Bill, and their three children, ages 13, 16 and 19, is the new owner of that same popular restaurant and café at 31 Forester Ave. The Huffmans were also friends of the original owners, Bill and Colly Leech. “Colly and I were in the same mother’s group. Our children grew up together,” said Andrea Huffman. Then sadly, in January 2006, Colly Leech passed away after her six-year courageous battle with cancer. Bill Leech continued to serve as chef and manager of the restaurant until this July. “I’m not planning any drastic changes to the menu,” said Huffman who has 10 years experience working in the produce industry. “We’ll keep all the favorite dishes, offer more daily specials and add new ones as we go along.” Her plan is to make changes over time that will please the restaurant’s regular clientele and appeal to newcomers. “We have a beautiful bar and lounge and it’s a great place for people to relax and socialize at the end of the day,” said Huffman. She plans to offer snacks and a light pub menu in the bar area as well as musical entertainment on weekends. Almost since the day it first opened, The Backyard Grill & Café has been offering its wall space to local artists. Huffman intends to continue that 12-year custom and the current artist whose colorful “Big Dawgs” works are now on display is Jodi Whitsell. The Backyard Grill & Café serves lunch and dinner every day. A breakfast-brunch is featured on weekends. For information, call 987-1822. New designation Financial Advisor Edward Lynch of Edward Jones Investments, 77 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Warwick, recently completed the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) Professional Education Program from the Denver based College for Financial Planning. Those who complete the program, pass a final exam and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the AAMS designation. “This advanced training,” said Lynch, “offers investment professionals the hands-on information needed to provide comprehensive financial services.” He explained that study topics ranged from the asset management process to understanding asset allocation and strategies. Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities, in which they live and work. For additional information, call Lynch at 987- 7220. Jewelry and collage exhibition The Bertoni Gallery, 1392 Kings Highway, Sugar Loaf, will host “Nature’s Elements,” an exhibition of jewelry and collage works by Rachel Bertoni, beginning next Thursday, August 23, and running through October 28. The gallery, which is also celebrating its seventh anniversary, will host an opening reception from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1. For more information, call 469-0993.