BIZ BITES

The courtyard of Fashion Island will feature eight colorful, elaborately designed houses Saturday — and the proceeds will go to those for whom any shelter at all is a blessing.

Since 1991, the mall has hosted the annual Project Playhouse, in which architects and designers create mini-cottages that are lowered by cranes into the courtyard area. The styles may range from surf shacks to miniature mansions, with the artists honing them to the last detail inside and outside.

Proceeds from the event benefit HomeAid Orange County’s Shelter Development Program, which builds and repairs homeless shelters for children and families. The houses will be on display through Oct. 13, but Saturday is the only day visitors can enter the houses and meet the designers. Open hours for the day are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per person over the age of 4, with family four-packs available for $75. Visit www.projectplayhouse.org for more information.

Hilton to host women’s business conference

Women Investing in Security and Education, an Irvine-based nonprofit, plans to hold its 11th annual financial strategies conference for women Saturday at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa.

The conference, which features workshops on personal finance, health, dieting, saving for retirement and other topics, is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This year’s event features a separate conference titled “Become Financially Fit” for girls and young women 13 to 21.

Registration for the event costs $119 and can be done by phone at (949) 588-2429 or online at www.invest-in-yourself.org.

— Michael Miller