Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Bloomingdale’s is having a 500-word Father’s Day essay for kids with

the theme “Why My Father Is A Hero.” The father of the winning author

will win a $500 Lacoste wardrobe. The contest will run Friday through

June 10 and is open to sons and daughters of all ages. Essays must be

dropped off in person in the men’s sportswear department at

Bloomingdale’s by June 10. The winner will be contacted by June 14. The

rules of the contest are that only essays that follow the theme will be

accepted. Essays may be handwritten or typed, and must include author’s

name, age, phone number, school and address. “Father’s are such important

people in our lives,” said Jim Murphy, Bloomingdale’s store manager. “We

hope all fathers enjoy the essays written in their honor. We’re also

looking forward to reading about and meeting the father described in the

winning essay.” Bloomingdale’s is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 729-6600.

Linda Slaughter at Newport Travel Concepts has great summer and fall

vacation ideas. Here’s some of her tips: Tauck Tours, which was voted the

world’s best tour operator, is offering new trips. Their A Week In

program is going to Norway and Denmark for $2,200 per person, and Rome

with the Amalfi Coast for $2,670 per person. Also, they have leased the

Christina O (the former Onassis yacht) for 36 guests to cruise the Greek

Isles in August, September and October. There will be two nights in Rome,

a six-night cruise and one night in Athens. Another tip is a 10-day

Baltic escorted cruise on Radisson’s Song of Flower. “This would be a

truly elegant experience, and worth your consideration if Scandinavia and

Russia is on your list of places to see,” says Slaughter. “For any of

your ‘Survivor’ followers, Pleasant Australia Holidays is offering a

seven-night camping and adventure tour visiting Kucha, Ogakor and

Barramundi camps “safari style.” All equipment and meals are included.

The tour will explore Cairns, Goshen Station, Herbert River, and you’ll

bicycle, canoe and hike in open woodlands and rain forests. Seven nights

for $1,080, plus air fare, which is currently $899 round-trip. The offer

is valid from May to November. To receive a New Travel Concepts

newsletter by Linda Slaughter, you may call (949) 261-8660. Newport

Travel Concepts is at 1600 Dove St., Suite 100, Newport Beach.

Best buys on orchids may be found at Green Systems International’s

orchid sale, held the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During the sale, you may attend an orchid-potting seminar at 10 a.m. and

2 p.m. Green Systems International is at 20362 Birch St., Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 756-1211.

Lido Antique Market is a new store that opened across the street from

the Via Lido Drugstore in Newport Beach. It carries English and French

antiques, some reproductions and new pieces. It recently received a new

shipment of antique “burnt bamboo” side tables, and has lamps and

chandeliers. It’s open from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through

Saturday. Information: (949) 675-8236.

The Design Exchange Home Furnishings was recently featured on KFWB’s

“Best Buys,” by Alan Mendelson, as a place to find home furnishings. It

receives new shipments of merchandise daily, and advertises that it’s up

to 60% off regular retail prices. The showroom is filled with furniture,

chairs, pillows, art, lamps, mirrors, accessories and florals. It’s open

from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday. The Design Exchange is at 435 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa.

If you’re looking for contemporary lines of casual clothing, stop by

Just Basics on Balboa Island. The boutique carries one of the largest

selections of Michael Stars shirts, Hardtail, Billy Blues and many other

lines. It’s at 308 Marine Ave. on Balboa Island. Information: (949)

675-6216.

Today is the last day to save up to 35% at Quatrine Washable Furniture

in Corona del Mar. The sale is on slipcovers, marked down 25% to 35%,

depending on the grade of the fabric, and all floor sample merchandise,

including pillows. There are more than 400 fabrics and 50 styles to

choose from. All of the fabrics are 100% machine washable. It’s at 3636

East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 723-7435.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.