Fashion Island will unmask its carousel

Fashion Island celebrates the grand opening of its spectacular

Mediterranean-theme Carousel Carnivale, with Venetian scenes on the

carousel rounding board, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Free rides and fun will help celebrate the new carousel.

The Carousel Court, next to Robinsons May, will look like an

Italian marketplace. There will be street performers, face painting,

gelato, Italian goods, fresh fruit, flowers and more. Retailers will

offer discounts and promotions throughout the weekend.

The carousel measures 38 feet in diameter and features fiberglass

animals created from antique molds. There are leaping horses, a

zebra, a cat, deer, tigers, a rabbit, bears and a seahorse. Nearly

1,200 white lights will illuminate the carouse at night. It will play

about 80 melodies recorded from an original band. After the weekend,

the rides will be $1 as a grand opening special. The carousel is

wheelchair accessible.

GOT PAPER? LOOK NO FURTHER

Inkwells Paperie, a new boutique stationery store in Corona del

Mar, offers fashionable and sophisticated correspondences for all

occasions. It’s ideal for those wanting exclusive lines. A few

coveted lines include West Hollywood printer Soolip, Arak Kanofsky

Studios from the East Coast, Grosvenor of London and British textile

designer Neisha Crosland. Inkwells specializes in artistically

detailed invitations, handmade note cards and stationery. Owner

Jessica Carter selects wonderful gifts, home accessories and

collectibles. She has a background in special events and can provide

referrals for reliable, confident photographers, florists, caterers

and more. In-house services to enhance events and social affairs

include custom chocolates, boxes, napkins and ribbons. The store is

open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 3411 E. Coast

Highway, Corona del Mar. (949) 673-1974.

PREPARE TO DO CARTWHEELS

Stop by Macy’s in South Coast Plaza at noon Friday to meet 1984

Olympic gymnastic champion Mary Lou Retton and legendary coach Bela

Karolyi. Retton was the United States’ first all-around Olympic gold

medalist. Longines presents “An afternoon with Mary Lou & Bela” at

Macy’s in the Fine Watch Department on Level Two. The two will sign

autographs and visit with customers to promote the upcoming World

Gymnastics Championships, from Aug. 16 to 24 at the Arrowhead Pond of

Anaheim, and discuss the “Longines Perfect 10 Moments in Time”

campaign. The campaign allows gymnastics fans to vote online for the

most memorable moments in U.S. gymnastics history. More than 121,000

votes have been cast to date. The 2003 World Gymnastics Championships

will award individual event gold medals, as well as team titles in

men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics disciplines. The World

Championships also serve as the qualification event for the 2004

Olympic Games. (714) 556-0611, ext. 4231.

DON’T HAVE TO DIG DEEP HERE

Treasures on Consignment is the Assistance League of

Newport-Mesa’s nonprofit shop that benefits local children and

families in need. Good prices on high-quality home furnishings,

accessories and jewelry. A beveled glass-top dining room table with

10 upholstered chairs is custom designed and in good condition. Other

great values are a French Louis XVI-style desk with gold hardware; a

French oval mirror vanity with matching single bed; a Victorian

walnut parlor table -- the white marble top sits on a heavily carved

and stunning base; a dark woodman’s desk; antique cradle and oak

roll-top desk. Decorator pieces and china include: an Oriental

six-panel screen with a border of mother of pearl inlaid flowers; a

20-piece set of Bernardaud Limoges china in a dainty floral pattern;

and gold-banded Lenox informal china. The shop is open from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

at 2220 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

STAY SHARP AT PLAZA CUTLERY

One of the oldest independent stores at South Coast Plaza, Plaza

Cutlery may have the largest selection of cutlery on the West Coast.

Specialties include high-quality kitchen knives, even the

hard-to-find Kyocera ceramic knives favored by celebrity chef Ming

Tsai. Other knives include collector’s favorite handmade knives,

multi-tool knives and sporting knives. Firemen and policemen purchase

knives that can be opened with one hand for cutting seat belts and

ropes. Other items are wall clocks, barometers, manicure sets and

Anheuser-Busch steins. Same-day sharpening service is offered for 50

cents per inch. Expert service is offered by this family-owned

business. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through

Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. Sunday. Level Two, Sears Wing. (714) 549-3932.

www.plazacutlery.com.

FORE HIM AND HER

Ashworth Studio is the only showcase store for Ashworth’s stylish

golf apparel for men and women. It carries the entire collection of

jackets, pants, vests, hats and socks. It’s even introduced a new

line for children. A few shirts are available. PGA Tour pros wear

Ashworth, including Fred Couples, Stuart Appleby, Rich Beem and Chris

DiMarco. Classic and comfortable styles have made it one of the top

brands in golf. It’s always trying innovative fabrics that absorb

perspiration and can be worn on and off the golf course. The store is

open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level Two,

Robinsons-May wing at South Coast Plaza. (714) 668-8575.

www.ashworthinc.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.