Holidays hit Corona del Mar

Get into the holiday spirit at the 24th annual Christmas Walk

Festival, sponsored by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce, from

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Corona del Mar Plaza, as well as along

East Coast Highway between Avocado and Poppy avenues. There will be

entertainment, crafts, holiday shopping and food sampling. Activities

at Corona del Mar Plaza will include story time with Mrs. Claus;

crafts for children near Zany Brainy and a treasure hunt throughout

the center; a costumed elf handing out balloons to youngsters;

ornament decorating at Subtle Tones; and holiday cookie decorating at

Sur la Table. Holiday carolers strolling the center and the Corona

del Mar High School Madrigal Singers will perform from 2 to 4 p.m.

Special offers and food sampling will also be found throughout the

center. Dog photos with Santa will be take from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

compliments of Three Dog Bakery. Also, New Balance will host an

enter-to-win contest in which visitors can win a new pair of shoes.

NEW BARR OPENS DOORS

The new owners of Charles H. Barr Jewelers are having a grand

opening today from noon to 9 p.m. and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Merchandise is marked down 25%, and there will be hors d’oeuvres and

wine served. Choose from a big selection of bridal sets, loose

diamonds and precious gems. 1803 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach.

(949) 642-3310.

GOLF SALE IS IN THE HOLE

A pre-holiday tent sale on golf apparel and equipment will happen

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Costa Mesa Country Club. All

brands are discounted 20% to 60%. Top name brands include Ping, Top

Flite, Callaway, Taylor Made, Wilson, Foot-Joy and Cleveland Golf.

1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 540-7500.

MUSEUM HOLDS OPEN HOUSE

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum will have a gift shop open

house on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Local artist Steve Simon

is selling local prints, books and Christmas cards; local

photographer Mary Longpre is signing prints, canvases and note cards

from America’s Cup Jubilee at Cowes, U.K.; Go Barefoot will have

Hawaiian print shirts; Kristal’s Dead Sea Salt Spa line, bath

products and candles. The museum offers seniors a 10% discount on

most gift shop items Wednesday. 151 E. Pacific Coast Highway in

Newport Beach. (949) 673-7863. newportnautical.org.

A FASHIONABLE APPEARANCE

Cristina Ferarre is making a personal appearance today at Neiman

Marcus to show her beautiful and extravagant jewelry collection. To

schedule your appointment, call (949) 759-1900, ext. 2080. Designer

Jewelry, Level One. Also, there’s a Moser engraving event in Home

Decor today and Saturday. An engraver can monogram and personalize

your Moser purchases of stemware, barware, and table and home

accessories at no charge. For reservations, call (904) 759-1900, ext.

2333. Home Decor, Level Two. Neiman Marcus is at Fashion Island,

Newport Beach.

HOT FRANK TO APPEAR

Super-hot designer Paul Frank will be at Bloomingdale’s today

signing T-shirts, pajamas and handbags for holiday gifts. There’s a

big collection of Paul Frank merchandise: men’s, women’s, sleepwear,

intimates, handbags, watches and sunglasses, plus refreshments and

informal modeling of Paul Frank designs. The signing is from 1 to 3

p.m. in the Paul Frank Shop on level one. Bloomingdale’s is at

Fashion Island, Newport Beach. (949) 729-6600.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

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

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