RETAIL ROUND-UP

We want to know, if we “Shop Till You Drop” at South Coast Plaza

Village today, as is suggested by the Special Children’s League of Orange

County, who will pay for our hospital bills at Hoag?

Between the frocks, the socks and the crystal rocks set in silver,

there’s much too much available at this 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. event.

If one is into feeling pious about spending money, the proceeds will

benefit schools, programs and services for developmentally challenged

children and adults in Orange County.

So, when your significant other asks about that extravagant charge on

the monthly Visa bill, or why you bought that $250 pewter figurine for

Great-aunt Hilda, you can say it went for a good cause.

More than a little nip and tuck

Speaking of being extravagant, have you heard about the renovations at

Amici Trattoria, soon to be renamed Stefano II Ristorante, in Costa Mesa?

More than $2 million is being invested in the Italian eatery. That’s a

lot of meatballs!

Under the new ownership of chef Stefano Colalacomo (say that three

times fast), the Anton Avenue restaurant will undergo a face lift, like

so many around here who will remain nameless.

We can’t wait to see what the plastic surgeon, or in this case,

interior designer, does.

An anti-orchestra party, perhaps

Does this strike anyone else as being, if not very wrong, then very

strange? The Lab, also known as the Anti-mall, is holding a preconcert

party tonight, not for a punk band or a rap artist, but for Pacific

Symphony Orchestra’s concert featuring pianist Cecile Ousset playing

Ravel.

Yes, that’s just what we always imagined, a shindig honoring a

classical concert, including coffee and hors d’oeuvres, at an outdoor

shopping center known for catering to a -- shall we say different? --

crowd.

The concert, complete with party, is advertised on The Lab’s Web site

(https://www.antimall.com) as being $17, though tickets for just the

concert at the Orange County Performing Arts Center range from $12 to

$52, according to the orchestra’s press release.