GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Fashion Island’s upcoming changes include the opening of four new

stores this summer, an expansion of Neiman Marcus and new retail space

added to the center. The new stores, most of which are opening their

first Orange County location, include Kenneth Cole, Parallel, SARA and

Aerosoles. The expansion at Neiman Marcus will be an additional 33,000

square feet on its third level, and Fashion Island will add 35,000 square

feet of retail space in the auto court between Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s.

The Kenneth Cole store will carry men’s and women’s collections of

footwear, sportswear, outerwear, sunglasses, watches, jewelry and leather

goods. The new store will be adjacent to Fashion Island’s koi pond.

Parallel will open its third store in the country and the first in Orange

County this month. Designer Max Azaria owns Parallel, and it carries

high-end contemporary trend items. Parallel will be between Fashion

Island’s Atrium Park and the iris fountain. SARA will open its third

store, and first location in Orange County, in late May. SARA will carry

contemporary clothes, handbags, shoes, jewelry and gifts from well-known

designers. Fashions from Katyonne Adeli, Diane Von Furstenberg, Paul &

Joe, Earl Jeans, Velvet, Petit Bateau and Seven will be featured, as well

as accessories from Prada, Gucci Fendi, Isaac Mizrahi, Rene Caovilla and

Emma Hope. The SARA boutique will be located adjacent to the Koi Pond.

Aerosoles, a popular brand of footwear for women, recently opened its

flagship store at Fashion Island. Aerosoles are known for being stylish

and comfortable. The store also carries handbags, hosiery and shoe care

products. The store is in the newly renovated building between

Robinsons-May and Macy’s.

Doreen Adams of Lido Travel has organized two adventures in Spain for

the fall. “Splendors of Northern Spain” is offered Oct. 10 to 23 and is

escorted by Pilar Velasco, a Spanish guide. The tour includes Madrid,

Barcelona, Pamplona, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Gijon, Santander and Santiago. The

tour will visit museums, the Prado, and the world-famous Guggenheim, it

will stop for shopping on the famous Ramblas in Barcelona, and it will

visit “green Spain” in the Galicia area. The cost is $1,995 per person,

double occupancy, including round-trip air, hotels, breakfasts, some

meals and guides in some cities. The second trip is called a “Spain

Discovery Tour,” with overnight stays in Madrid, Seville, Granada and

Costa Del Sol. It’s planned for Nov. 9 to 19 and is also escorted by

Velasco. Visits will include the Cordoba, the famous Alhambra, the “Rock

of Gibraltar,” Segovia, Avila and Toledo. The cost is $1,595 per person,

double occupancy, including round-trip air, hotels, daily breakfasts,

some meals, guides and transfers. Doreen Adams may be reached at Lido

Travel, 3403 Via Lido, Newport Beach. Information: (949) 673-3310.

Sher’s Art Gallery is having an art show featuring eclectic art by

adult artists, plus paintings and ceramics. It is open to the public from

1 to 3 p.m. June 10. Sher’s Art Gallery is at 2830 Newport Blvd.,

Newport Beach. Information: (949) 675-9306.

Collectors of 1920s to 1960s memorabilia can find collectibles, mostly

vintage magazines, books, records, kitchen accessories, and more at S.

Kutz Ltd. in Costa Mesa. It also has a repair and restoration service on

brass, copper, silver and other metals. It’s been in business since 1957.

It’s at 660 W. 17th St., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 515-3494.

Famous Footwear has closed its Costa Mesa Courtyard location, and now

the only Costa Mesa location is on Harbor Boulevard. The store is having

its popular half-price sale on shoes through Wednesday. If you buy one

pair of shoes, you’ll get the second one of equal or lesser value for

half price. Famous Footwear carries popular name brands that you’ll find

elsewhere but for bargain prices. Name brands available include Nike,

Skechers, Adidas and Rockport. The sale does not include all brands. It’s

at 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 631-7365.

There are great selections of antique furniture, architectural

elements and artifacts from China at the China Source in Costa Mesa. The

showroom is at 670 W. 17th St., Costa Mesa. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 4

p.m. Monday through Saturday. Information: (949) 548-1112.

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

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.