Greer’s Best Buys:

Today is the grand opening of the first-ever O.C. Henri Bendel boutique at South Coast Plaza. The Fifth Avenue iconic store is the spot to find the latest in fashion accessories and no-fail gifts. The new boutique will focus exclusively on accessories, jewelry, beauty products, fragrance, an assortment of edibles and Bendel-branded merchandise, with its signature brown-and-white-striped shopping bags since the first New York store opened in 1895. And you’ll want to get there early; the first 250 guests will receive a limited-edition Henri Bendel tote, with a purchase of $125 or more, while supplies last. 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. Level 1, in the Bloomingdale’s Wing, at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 557-1647 or visit www.henribendel.com. www.henribendel.com.

Pinches for autism

Join Pinch Me! band’s free courtyard concert at Muldoon’s Celtic Bar and Pub in Newport Beach from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The semi-unplugged show promises to be a great event complete with live music, wonderful food and more. Muldoon’s Celtic Bar and Pub is at 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport Center. And the Newport Beach-based band will also be performing at the Orange County Walk Now for Autism on Nov. 14 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Walk Now for Autism is a family-friendly event with face painting, costumed characters and more. The walk generates much needed funds for autism research and awareness. The walk is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. For more information, call (714) 940-2000 or visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org. For more information on Pinch Me! and their upcoming events, call (949) 719-9210, or visit www.pinchmeband.com.

Airport shows ‘soil’ samples

John Wayne Airport’s latest art exhibit features international “soil art,” a group of 14 paintings created from the soils of 38 United Nations countries. The exhibition by Gary Simpson titled “Commonground191” is on display in Terminal A of the Thomas F. Riley Terminal through Feb. 22.

For more information on the project, visit www.commonground191.com or call (949) 252-5200. JWA is at 18601 Airport Way, Santa Ana.

Bayside celebrates 10

It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since one of my favorite restaurants, Bayside, opened. They’re celebrating their 10-year anniversary from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Nov. 13 with a special four-course anniversary dinner by renowned chef Paul Gstrein and live performances by the Ron Kobayashi Quartet.

For $25, you can enjoy a first course with a choice of items including mirin-marinated quail and foie gras or a lobster bisque “cappuccino.”

The main course includes entrees such as their famous miso-glazed Chilean seabass or diver scallops, followed by a selection of desserts, and a complimentary glass of Champagne. Bayside Restaurant is at 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach.

For more information, call (949) 721-1222 or visit www.bistango.com/bayside.shtml.

Find a new friend

Join Paws of the Planet for a day at the beach Saturday with animal adoptions, education and lots of fun at its Sheltering Fur, Feathers and Flippers event. It will be at Peninsula Park at the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Newport Beach Animal Shelter and Orange County Rescue Groups will bring more than 100 dogs, cats, birds, bunnies and more looking for forever homes.

Don’t miss the Shark Mobile from the Back Bay Science Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be opportunities to win fantastic animal adventures and holiday shopping for people and pets. For more information, call (949) 673-2347 or visit www.pawsoftheplanet.org.

Museums free Sunday

Target Free Second Sundays is one of the best ways for Orange County families to spend time together enjoying art at the Orange County Museum of Art.

Admission is free the second Sunday of every month. Join in the family fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. OCMA is at 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. For more information (949) 759-1122 or visit www.ocma.net.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com , a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.