GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The much-anticipated Nordstrom semiannual sale for women and children

starts Wednesday. Throughout the store, you can find savings of 20% to

33% on clothing and accessories, and 30% to 50% on shoes. In the

accessories department, there’s a selection of Anne Klein watches, Mei Fa

stretch bracelets and The Sak crocheted handbags and mini bags. In the

Brass Plum department, there are savings on selected fashions by Frenchi,

an exclusive line at Nordstrom. In the women’s apparel department, there

are selected Carol Anderson dresses; spring coats; Hot Cotton separates;

Classiques Entier; Preview Collection suiting and separates; and BCBG

exclusively for Nordstrom. In women’s shoes, there are styles from BCBG

Maz Azria, Nine West, Clarks, Easy Spirit and Donald J. Pliner. In the

kids’ wear and children’s shoes departments, there are discounts on

apparel from Esprit, Paris Blues, Quiksilver and Nordstrom’s own N Kids

label, plus shoes from Skechers and Stride Rite. For the shopper’s

convenience, Nordstrom will have special hours on the first day of the

sale, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nordstrom is at South Coast Plaza in Costa

Mesa.

Fancl, the popular preservative-free skin care company from Japan also

manufactures green tea. Fancl says a cup of green tea can protect and

improve your health. Fancl Green Tea is different from most other green

teas because it comes in a finely ground powder. There is no seeping

involved; just stir and it is ready. It’s designed to give all of the

health-promoting benefits of green tea in a form that’s easy for your

body to absorb. Fancl Green Tea is made from young, high-quality leaves

and buds. The company recommends trying the tea as a topping for ice

cream and other sweets, and using it in cooking. First-time buyers can

call Fancl at (949) 476-5091 and, by mentioning Best Buys, will receive a

box of 30 packets -- a $11.95 value -- for just $5, for shipping and

handling.

Artistic kids will love the Orange County Museum of Art’s fun summer art

camp. It’s geared for kids ages 3 to 18. The art program starts July 10

and ends Aug. 25. The museum is at 850 San Clemente Drive in Newport

Beach. Information: (949) 759-1122, Ext. 218.

There are bargains to be found at the new Shape-Up Fitness Center, which

is scheduled to open this month. The first 100 new members will receive a

free package of five spinning classes, five Pilates-based mat classes,

five tans, five child-care visits and three personal training sessions.

The new gym will provide strength classes, personal training, yoga, group

exercise classes, steam rooms, massage therapists and a Weight Watchers

coordinator. Shape-Up Fitness Center is on the corner of Coast Highway

and Avocado Avenue in Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 689-0042.

If you’re looking for golf apparel for men and women, stop by John

Leonard’s Golf Shop at 3100 Irvine Ave. in Newport Beach. The store

carries some of the best brands in golf, including Walter Genuin, Marcia,

Jamie Sadock, Brighton, Foot-Joy, Tail, Taylor Made, Callaway, Ping,

Sugar Mag, Titleist, Ralph Lauren, Nicole Miller, Babe Diedrickson,

Ashworth, Tehama and Aerogreen. Information: (949) 852-8689.

A great fund-raiser for the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is taking place

June 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The first annual Flag Day Celebration and

Fund-raiser will include an all-American dinner, silent auction and a

tour of the facility. Tickets are $35 per person and $50 per couple.

Tickets can be purchased by mailing a check to P.O. Box 11267, Costa Mesa CA 92627. Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is at 720 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa.

For information, call (949) 548-8861.

* 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.