Summer festivities begin

GREER WYLDER

South Coast Plaza hosts its summer food and wine festival June 23

from 6 to 9 p.m.

The culinary event features samples from more than 25 South Coast

Plaza restaurants, nearly 40 vintners and wines and 13 breweries.

There’s also live music.

It benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County and

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. Together, these programs

help 456,000 people in Orange County each month.

A partial list of participating restaurants include Antonello

Ristorante, Bluewater Grill, Bodega Chocolates, Champagne French

Bakery Cafe, Chat Noir Bistro & Jazz Lounge, Nello Cucina, Patina

Group and Quattro Cafe.

A local band, Panjive, will play calypso, reggae and contemporary

music.

Tickets to the food & wine festival are $45 per person if

purchased before June 20; tickets will be $55 at the door. Guests can

purchase opportunity tickets for a chance to win a year of dining at

South Coast Plaza, which includes dinner for two each month for a

year; a Spa Signature facial and massage, a manicure and a pedicure

at the Spa and Fitness Club (valued at more than $300); or a $250

South Coast Plaza gift certificate.

For more information, call (714) 435-2171.

HALF AND (UP TO) HALF

Don’t miss Nordstrom’s half-yearly women and kids’ sale at South

Coast Plaza. Shoppers can find shoes, apparel and accessories reduced

25% to 50%.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. (714) 549-8300.

GET FREE

The Lab now offers free wireless connection for your laptop.

It’s easy to access, just go to Standard Issue (in front of Urban

Outfitters) to obtain a password -- no purchase necessary. All you

need is a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or hand-held device.

For those concerned with security, The Lab cannot guarantee the

privacy of your data and communications while using the service.

The Lab is at 2930 Bristol St., in Costa Mesa. www.thelab.com.

MAKING LEMONADE

A Lemonade Stand at Fashion Island this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4

p.m. will help raise money for pediatric cancer research.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand, which will be located in front of the

Lululemon Athletica store, was conceived by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, a

victim of neuroblastoma, a rare form of pediatric cancer.

Five years after the first stand opened, it’s a national event,

having raised more than $1 million.

During the Fashion Island event, Wade Morrissette (Alanis

Morrissette’s brother) will perform an outdoor concert; Minute Maid

will donate the lemonade and the Sweet Life will provide cookies.

For more information, call (949) 722-8488.

GET YOUR IKKS

IKKS, a French boutique for children’s and women’s apparel at

Fashion Island, is encouraging summer fun for the entire family by

offering a gift with purchases made between June 10 and 26.

With any purchase of $200 or more from the children’s department

at IKKS, customers can receive a free volleyball.

IKKS just received its new summer collection for women and kids.

Summer apparel features an adventurous theme with a modern version

of Indian style, spice colors and light and wrinkled cottons. A city

theme is portrayed in sport-chic inspired by New York and Tokyo.

Popular denim looks are inspired by the beach spirit, with bright

colors and prints.

IKKS carries baby clothing in sizes from 3 months to 24 months,

boys’ and girls’ in sizes 2 to 10 years, girls’ junior sizes 8 to 18,

and women’s apparel.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. IKKS is located in Atrium Court

at Fashion Island. (949) 644-0550. www.ikks.com.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON

On June 18 from 2 to 5 p.m., The Lab presents the second annual

“Pet-a-Porter” fashion walk. You can enter your fashionably dressed

dog in a show.

To register for the event, just e-mail The Lab at [email protected],

or call (714) 966-6661. Admission is free.

The LAB is located at 2930 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa.

www.thelab.com

STRIKE A POSE

Zac Posen will make an appearance at Nordstrom at South Coast

Plaza on June 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Collectors department.

Posen, a young, New York-based designer and celebrity favorite,

will show his fall collection. He designs fabulous dresses, skirts

and separates. Reservations are required.

For information, call (714) 549-8300.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

greerwylder@ yahoo.com; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.