GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The Bridge of Gardens and The Garden Terrace at South Coast Plaza

officially open today. It’s a much-anticipated event since the bridge now

connects the two properties of South Coast Plaza with a 90-second walk.

Both the bridge and garden are part of a $120-million renovation plan for

a “New South Coast Plaza.” Kathryn Gustafson, a famed landscape artist,

created the open-air bridge spanning 600 feet, and incorporated a

24,000-square-foot botanical garden. The opening of the bridge is the

start of a 10-day celebration throughout the center. Highlights of the

celebration includes “A Taste of South Coast Plaza,” a food festival

featuring South Coast Plaza’s finest restaurants today from noon to 2

p.m. Other events scheduled through Oct. 8 are fashion shows, live music,

special savings and enter-to-win opportunities.

An inventory clearance sale is underway through Oct. 14 at Blackman

Ltd. Jewelers. There are some great buys on fine European and American

jewelry designers with savings up to 50% off on selected items. It’s an

opportunity to purchase unique pieces at reduced prices. Blackman Ltd.

will also have a Web site active soon. Blackman’s is in the Lido Village

Shopping Center at 3408 Via Oporto, Newport Beach. Information: (949)

673-9334.

Ann Taylor Loft opens its newest store in South Coast Plaza today. The

Ann Taylor Loft is the second part of the Ann Taylor brand. It shares the

same Ann Taylor design aesthetics, helping women build a versatile

wardrobe at accessible prices. The Loft label carries career clothing to

casual wear, but is geared more for relaxed lifestyles than the Ann

Taylor customer. And there will be plenty of room to find the right

wardrobe pieces, the Loft store in South Coast Plaza will occupy 6,382

square feet. The Ann Taylor Loft store is in the Crate and Barrel/Macy’s

Home wing of South Coast Plaza.

A private sale is taking place today at Bloomingdale’s at Fashion

Island. Throughout the store you’ll find savings on clothing and

accessories for men and women and for the home. For women, there are

specials on pashima wraps -- buy two at regular price and get 25% off.

Ready-to-wear items are reduced an extra 25%, for a total savings of 40%

to 70%. Ladies’ coats are reduced an additional 15%. Selected handbags,

belts and small leather goods are reduced an additional 25% to 40%.

Selected fall shoes are reduced an additional 30%. For men, there are

cashmere and camel hair sport coats in two- and three-button styles for

$299 to $399. All dress shirts from a famous American designer are

$39.99. Calvin Klein men’s underwear are reduced 25% to 30%. For the

home, there are great savings on towels, bath rugs, clearance crystal,

china, flatware, table linens and frames. And there are reductions from

30% to 60% on famous-maker luggage from TravelPro, Dakota Metro,

Atlantic, Samsonite and Delsey. Information: (949) 729-6600.

Gloria Godfrey at the Discovery Shops of Corona del Mar says there has

been an estate donation of beautiful antiques -- Oriental (mainly

furniture) and some very exotic figurines, sculptures and paintings. The

pieces are for sale “at outstanding prices,” says Godfrey. There’s also a

huge selection of soft leather winter clothing. The American Cancer

Discovery Shop is at 2600 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar.

Information: 640-4777.

The Newport Beach Community Book is a new fund-raising book created to

benefit the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and the city of Newport

Beach. One coupon book is good for a full year from the date of purchase

and can be used at more than 50 local businesses. Inside the book, you’ll

find coupons to be used for free food, free car washes, free haircuts,

free chiropractic adjustments and more. It costs $19.95 and promises to

have more than $7,000 in values. It was designed for people who live,

work or visit Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona del Mar and Balboa. It

makes a nice gift, and 50% of this book will go toward the schools and

the city. Participating merchants include Rubio’s Baja Grill, Subway,

Jamba Juice, ProWash, Z Pizza, Mrs. Fields, Domino’s Pizza, Charlie’s

Chili, Hornblower Cruises & Yachts, Domino’s Pizza, Denny’s, Supercuts,

Golden Spoon, IHOP restaurant, and the Balboa Fun Zone. Information:

(949) 476-8991.

* 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.