GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Fashion Island presents “The Art of Spring” extravaganza Friday through

May 14. The event will feature live entertainment, floral and art

exhibits, a nine-hole putting green, life-size board games and weekend

crafts for kids.

Shoppers can also register to win one of four trips to Maui, which will

be given away each weekend from April 22 through May 14.

Highlights of upcoming events include entertainment provided by students

of the Orange County High School of the Arts, who will perform their

interpretations of spring through singing, dancing, poetry reading and

theatrical performances. Students will perform Fridays through Sundays,

with the exception of Easter weekend, April 22-23.

The putting green will be the site of a hole-in-one tournament May 14.

The winner will win a trip to Hawaii.

The exhibits and floral displays will also include local artists, who

will be painting their interpretations of spring. The arts students will

paint a 100-foot mural depicting a spring theme.

For kids, the Easter Bunny will be available for photos Friday through

April 22 in the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. Children can also have

breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 15 for $15 per child. Paid

reservations are required in person at the Fashion Island concierge.

There will be more fun on Saturdays, when kids can participate in various

crafts: decorating their own Easter Bunny, a natural colored beanbag toy

on Saturday; painting a popular Fashion Island Tile on April 22, with

proceeds benefiting the Orange County Museum of Art; decorating a flower

pot on April 29; painting a decorative birdhouse or sunflower garden

stick on May 6; and designing gardening gloves for mom on May 13.

Each activity is $6 per child, while supplies last, with the exception of

the Fashion Island Tile painting, which is $100 per tile, and paid

reservations are required with the Fashion Island concierge.

For more information, you can pick up an event program at the concierge

desk on the main level of the Atrium Court, or call (949) 721-2000.

Sarah Peck, a great ladies clothing store next to Gelson’s, is having an

exclusive showing of the Bassler fall collection. Sarah Peck is the only

store in Newport Beach that carries the line. Sarah Peck is at 1630 San

Miguel Drive in Newport Beach. Call (949) 721-0111.

Ralphs is making holiday meals ideal for Easter. The meal selection

includes prime rib, turkey and ham. The prime rib serves eight to 10

people and comes with scalloped potatoes, horseradish, carrot pudding,

rolls and apple pie for $59.99. The turkey meal serves eight to 10

people, and comes with stuffing, mashed potatoes, yam casserole,

cranberry sauce, gravy and rolls for $39.99. The ham also serves eight to

10 people and it comes with scalloped potatoes, carrot pudding, gratin of

vegetables and rice, rolls and cranberry sauce for $45.99. The cost of

the meals is for Ralphs Club card members. Ralphs is in Newport Beach at

Irvine Avenue, Eastbluff Drive and San Miguel Drive, and in Costa Mesa at

East 17th Street.

Dragonfish Sportswear has made its debut of beach-casual clothing for men

and boys at Kayaks in Newport Beach. The new line joins Kayaks’ mix of

trend-conscious apparel and accessories, including Quiksilver, Redsand

and Billabong. The collection includes high-quality, ring-spun 100%

cotton T-shirts and hats, designed for long-lasting wear and durability

in washing, and with comfort in mind. There are seven stylish designs

featuring the company’s logo, the Dragonfish -- which symbolizes the

power of the ocean and the vision of the company’s founder, Newport Beach

resident Dave Williams. “The inspiration for Dragonfish comes from my

love for the ocean, water and board sports,” says Williams. “I wanted to

create a line of clothing that would appeal to all ages, offering edgy

designs in a classic style.” The collection blends Asian influences with

classic surf styles. The prices are affordable at $19.95 to $24.95.

Williams is a supporter of the Surfrider Foundation and plans to donate a

portion of his profits to the organization to help preserve California’s

coast. Kayaks is at Westcliff Plaza in Newport Beach. Call (949)

631-2996.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627; or via fax at (949) 646-4170.