GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Williams-Sonoma is planning a big opening today at its newly remodeled

South Coast Plaza store, with an appearance and book-signing event by

founder Chuck Williams. Williams will be at the store to sign books from

noon to 2 p.m.

Williams opened the first Williams-Sonoma store in Sonoma in Northern

California in 1956, soon moving to Sutter Street in San Francisco, where

he established the first comprehensive French cooking and serving

equipment center in the country. For more than 40 years, Williams has

been dedicated to bringing the highest quality products for the kitchen

to customers across the country.

The South Coast Plaza store originally opened in 1977 and is one of

the company’s oldest retail locations. The newly expanded store is three

times larger than the original store, and offers an enhanced and more

interactive shopping experience. Customers will be able to sample

specialty foods, attend cooking demonstrations, and gather new ideas for

cooking and entertaining. They can also get exceptional customer service

and select from top-of-the-line professional-quality cooking equipment.

There’s a great tasting bar that offers a variety of vinegars and olive

oils from around the world, including some that are flavor-infused with

rosemary, basil and roasted garlic. A professional demonstration kitchen

is the in-store venue for cooking demonstrations by local chefs and other

notable cooks. There’s also an expanded cookbook library and a food hall

with specialty items that include the company’s growing line of

private-label products.

If you arrive early, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of

Williams-Sonoma’s award-winning, newly published “Kitchen Companion” --

an all-purpose, easy-to-use guide for the home cook. Quantities are

limited; it’s a $24 value. The Williams-Sonoma Grande Cuisine store is on

the second level, near Saks Fifth Avenue. Information: (714) 751-1166.

At-Ease is celebrating its 31st anniversary through Sunday. The

celebration includes free gifts with special purchases, trunk shows and

drawings to win merchandise. Today there will be an exclusive showing of

the Robert Comstock fall and winter collection. At-Ease is at Fashion

Island in Newport Beach. Information: (949) 759-7979.

The Acanthus Gallery is offering an anniversary drawing during its

anniversary sale, which lasts through Oct. 31. The entire inventory is

marked 10% to 70% off. The gallery is filled with decorative accessories,

furniture and a selection of original, antique prints. There is a

collection of botanical, architectural and natural history copper

engravings dating from 1613 to 1850. Other personally chosen, unique

furnishings include urns, bejeweled picture frames, clocks from London,

needlepoint and velvet pillows, hand-carved mirrors, hurricane lamps,

candlesticks, many decorative boxes from pen shell to leather, a unique

selection of lamps, animal figurines, vegetable bottles and much more.

Also included are carved, turn-of-the-century armoires, tables and

chairs. The store is filled with gift ideas and decorating pieces. The

hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday, or by appointment. The gallery is closed Mondays. Acanthus

Gallery is at 2908 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Information: (949)

640-1470.

If it’s at all possible to turn back the clock, skin-care specialist

Adrienne Brennan and hair and beauty expert Scott Fontana are trying with

Freschezza, their new line of anti-aging skin-care products. At a

launching event, open to the public from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 1 at the

Westin South Coast Plaza, guests will learn Brennan’s and Fontana’s

formula -- a four-step process to reverse aging -- and receive a

complimentary skin analysis, along with Freschezza product samples.

Freschezza is a charity partner with Human Options, a nonprofit

organization that provides alternatives for abused women and their

children. Donations of all kinds will be accepted during the symposium on

behalf of clients of Human Options. Guest speakers at the event will

include dermatologist and laser skin-care specialist Dr. Cary Feibleman

and Human Options Executive Director Vivian Clecak. There will be door

prizes, coffee and dessert. To make a reservation, call Freschezza at

(866) 4MYSKIN, or go to the Web site at https://www.freschezza.com.

BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.