Newport Coast to host specialists in imports...

Newport Coast to host

specialists in imports

Pier 1 Imports opened its first store in Newport Coast Friday at

the Crystal Cove Promenade, 8072 E. Coast Highway.

As part of its grand opening celebrations, the store will give

free samples of an upcoming Pier 1 candle fragrance to customers

visiting the new store.

Every customer who makes a purchase will receive a special,

two-pack votive sample of new cranberry citrus candle scent, while

supplies last.

Kim Hess, who has been with the company for nine years, will be

the store manager and will hire around 20 full- and part-time

associates.

In addition to the regular shopping items at Pier 1, Newport Coast residents can buy UNICEF holiday greeting cards and the 2004 UNICEF

snowflake ornament. All of the proceeds from the UNICEF greeting

cards and 50% of the purchase price of the UNICEF snowflake ornament

will be donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

Costa Mesa-based attorney joins Skousen & Skousen

Skousen & Skousen, a Southern California law firm, has added

experienced civil litigator Mark M. Gnesin, to its firm.

Gnesin, a Costa Mesa resident who has more than 23 years of

civil-litigation experience with a particular emphasis on matters of

insurance defense.

Gnesin has tried about 25 legal cases to jury verdict with an 80%

success rate. He has represented insurance organizations like AIG,

Atlantic Mutual, Industrial Indemnity, Mercury, 20th Century and

Universal Underwriters. Gnesin also represented Sav-On Drugs for 10

years.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and his

juris doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in Los

Angeles.