South Coast Plaza event proceeds will benefit hunger

Don’t miss the 18th annual Food, Wine and Micro-Brew event to

benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County from 6 to 9

p.m. Thursday at South Coast Plaza’s Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store

wing. Proceeds go directly to Second Harvest Food Bank, the largest

hunger-relief organization in the county. An estimated 200,000 people

are fed through its 380 local member charities. The event features:

samplings from Orange County’s premier restaurants, regional wineries

and micro-breweries; live music, dancing, a drawing and a limited

supply of wine grab bags for sale from $20 to $200. Participating

restaurants include Pat & Oscars, Cafe de France, Vie de France, Back

Bay Rowing & Running Club, Plums Cafe & Catering, Nello Cucina

Restaurant, Rainforest Cafe, Catalina Fish Kitchen, BJ’s Restaurant &

Brewery, Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill,

Terranova at the Wyndham Hotel, McCormick & Schmicks, Maggiano’s

Little Italy, Ho Sum Bistro, Sundried Tomato Cafe and Katella Family

Grill. Some wineries and breweries include: Pietra Santa Winery,

Filsinger Winery Inc. Galleano Winery, Witch Creek Winery, Wyder’s

Cider, Firestone Walker Brewery and Karl Strauss Brewery. Prepaid

tickets are $40 per person; at the door tickets are $40 per person.

Groups of 10 or more are $30 per person. (714) 771-1343 or

www.foodfest.org.

NOT-SO-SHABBY PRICES

Unfortunately, Blue Springs, Ala. will no longer carry Rachel

Ashwell’s Shabby Chic line. It’s a great time to stock up on Shabby

Chic bedding at 50% off original prices. Fabrics are reduced 30% to

50%. While you’re in the store, check out their other great linen

lines, Home Inc. and Bella Notte. Plus, vintage-style home

furnishings and stylish maternity clothing. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 969 E. 17th St.,

Costa Mesa. (949) 642-3632.

BE AWARE AT NORDSTROM

Breast Cancer Awareness month is celebrated at Nordstrom at South

Coast Plaza. Special events with a pink theme for”awareness month”

are in the cosmetics department. Events include: a time-out station,

where you can learn how to shave time off your skincare/makeup

routine to have more relaxation time; Escada offers pampering

services such as hand massages, paraffin dipping and fragrance

samples from its new Scentsation; Prescriptives and Bobbi Brown are

selling pink lipsticks to benefit the Breast Cancer Research

Foundation; All proceeds from Philosophy’s citrus-scented shower gel

and bubble bath, called “Remember,” will benefit the Cedars-Sinai

Women’s Cancer Research Institute; Paula Dorf sells a pink lipstick,

“Gilda” (after Gilda Radner), which will benefit Gilda’s Club

Worldwide; Lancome is giving complimentary skincare consultations;

and Spa Nordstrom has a new Pink Shea Butter in pink grapefruit and

pink passionflower scents. Nordstrom is at South Coast Plaza. (714)

549-8300.

TAKE IN THE LAUNDRY

One of the hottest contemporary women’s clothing designers, Shelli

Segal of Laundry by Shelli Segal, will be at Neiman Marcus from 2 to

4 p.m. Saturday. During the trunk show, You can purchase $200 of

Laundry products and receive an exclusive Laundry T-shirt signed by

Shelli. Informal modeling, DJ and refreshments. Neiman Marcus is at

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

RESORT TO GARY’S ISLAND

Resort wear is on sale at Gary’s Island in Newport Beach. The

annual end-of-summer sale offers discounts of up to 50% on Reyn

Spooner, Kahala, Tori Richard, Bluewater Wear, Jams and more. Prices

on casual footwear are also reduced. Gary’s Island carries clothing

for men, women and children. Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949)

640-2371.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627, or by fax at (949) 646-4170.