Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

The 13th annual Taste of Newport is happening Oct. 5 at Newport Center

Drive in Fashion Island from 4 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Participating restaurants and wineries include Aysia 101, Bayside,

Bistango, Bistro 201, Blue Water Grill, Buca Di Beppo, Ciao, Clayton

Shurley’s Real BBQ, The Clubhouse, Five Crowns, Gelato Paradiso, Gina’s

Pizza & Pastaria, Gulliver’s Restaurant, Haagen Dazs Ice Cream, Ho Sum

Bistro, Kitayama, Koto Restaurant, Marrakesh, Margaritaville, McCormick &

Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant, Newport Fish Company, Pavilion at The Four

Seasons Hotel, Ristorant Mamma Gina, Royal Thai Cuisine, Rusty Pelican,

Sabatino’s Lido Shipyard Sausage Co., Sage, Santa Monica Seafood,

Soprano’s, Tapas Restaurant, Tommy Bahama’s, Villa Nova Restaurant and

Wolfgang Puck Cafe at Fashion Island. Admission is $15, Children under 12

are free, and tastes are $1 to $5 each. A portion of the proceeds will

benefit local charities. (949) 729-4400.

The Lido Isle Women’s Club is having a champagne reception for the

31st Street Cannery Painters on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. Local artists

will show their work, and there will be beverages and light refreshments.

Last year’s reception was a great success, said Helen Japenga of the

Lido Isle Women’s Club. It’s at the Lido Isle Clubhouse at 701 Via Lido

in Newport Beach. (949) 723-4650.

Local guitarist and teacher Nic Nichol is having a classical guitar

recital on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Central Library in Newport Beach at

1000 Avocado Ave. (949) 717-3800.

Nichol has the distinction of being the first student to graduate

with a bachelors degree in classical guitar from Chapman University.

Later he continued guitar studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of

Music and graduated with a masters degree in classical guitar. Nichols

has a private teaching practice and is recording his first CD. (949)

574-9406.

Charles H. Barr Jewelers is having a 42nd anniversary sale. The entire

stock is discounted 25%, and the there are bigger discounts at Barr’s

bargain counter. Charles H. Barr carries watches, fine jewelry,

engagement rings and precious stones. It also has a jewelry repair and

appraisal service. It’s at 1803 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach. (949)

642-3310.

Robinsons May is having a 50% off sale on all Mikasa goblets. The

prices range from $5.99 to $17.99 per stem. Robinsons May is at Fashion

Island and at South Coast Plaza in Newport Beach.

Mark & Connie Heavener at the 17th Street Beauty Center -- Day Spa &

Salon specialize in haircuts and color. They work without assistants.

They’re at 283 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. (714) 878-7873.

Neiman Marcus is having a beauty event in its cosmetics department

through Tuesday. With the purchase of $75 worth of cosmetics or

fragrances you’ll receive a tote with samples from Laura Mercier, Marc

Jacobs, Re Vive, Sisley-Paris, Bobbi Brown, Lancome Paris, Darphin,

Natura Bisse, S.T. Dupont and French milled soap. Neiman Marcus is at

Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949) 759-1900.

Macy’s is having a one-day sale today from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The sale does not require and coupons or savings passes. Merchandise is reduced up

to 75%. There are discounts in almost every department including ladies

sportswear, sweaters, shoes, lingerie, men’s shoes, suits, sport coats,

accessories, junior’s sportswear, home accessories, fine jewelry and

watches. Macy’s is at Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza.

* 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.