Find out Nicki’s Secret sooner than later

A going out of business sale starts Saturday at Nicki’s Secret. It

closes July 31. Prices are substantially reduced. It specializes in

consigned, high-end women’s apparel, handbags, shoes and accessories,

but it has some men’s apparel and shoes, too. Designers available

include Escada, Giorgio Armani, St. John, Versace, Chanel and

Valentino. Many items have never been worn and some still have price

tags. Also a selection of fine jewelry and a large inventory of high

quality costume jewelry with genuine jade, malachite, amber,

turquoise, lapis lazuli and grained marble gemstones. Open from 11

a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. 177 Riverside Ave., Suite G,

Newport Beach. (949) 574-0099.

A PERFECT TASTE

Newport Harbor High’s great Culinary Arts Academy has two upcoming

events for the program. Roy’s of Newport Beach will host a

fund-raising dinner for the academy on Tuesday. Reception begins at 6

p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $50 per person and includes

reception cocktail, passed appetizers and three-course dinner with

wine, tax and gratuity. Roy’s donates $30 of every ticket to the

academy and gives the attendees a $100 dinner for just $100 per

person. For information and reservations, contact Hennie Sondel at

(949) 548-4044. Roy’s Fashion Island is at 453 Newport Center Drive.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, the students are hosting the fourth

annual “A Taste of Newport Harbor High School” at Evening of the

Arts. Tastings can be purchased at the school anchor for $1 to $2.

Newport Harbor High School at 600 Irvine Ave.

GLASSY ART

South Coast Art Gallery hosts a show from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday for

its new one-of-a-kind signed glass art, as well as new paintings by

Mark Jacobuci and new works by Mark Walpin. “We have also just

acquired contemporary figurative works by Latin American artist

Vladimir Cora,” owner Fran Williams said. “We would like to invite

everyone to help us celebrate our third year at 3441-B Via Lido,

Newport Beach, as well as to view our newly acquired works of art.”

Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. Saturday. (949) 673-0771.

EAT WELL, AGE WELL

If you’re obsessed with aging, you can attend an anti-aging

cooking demonstration and cookbook signing of “Stop the Clock!

Cooking” at Macy’s South Coast Plaza Home Store at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Author and registered dietitian Cheryl Forberg believes that eating

the right foods can help lessen the effects of aging. Her book has

110 recipes and is a guide on antioxidant rich foods. Forberg will

sign copies after the cooking demonstration. Books can be purchased

at the event for $17.95. The Cellar, Level One. (714) 708-3333.

DIVE FOR PEARLS

Black Pearl Gallery, a chain of Hawaiian fine jewelry stores, has

a new location on Balboa Island in the renovated Jubilee Plaza. For

the past 20 years, it’s specialized in rare and exotic

rainbow-colored Tahitian black pearls set in original designs. Owners

Don and Mary Kelly attend pearl auctions twice a year in Tahiti to

hand-select each pearl. Pearls are set in 18-karat and 14-karat

diamonds and platinum jewelry. The grand opening will be celebrated

through May 11 with daily events, prize drawings and special prices

on all Tahitian pearl jewelry. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today through

Sunday, there will be a book signing by “Path of the Pearl” author

Mary Olsen Kelly. On Saturday, there’s a waffle tasting at 11 a.m.

From May 6 to 9, there will be continued “Diving for Pearls” special

prices. On May 10 will be the Balboa Island Art Walk. On May 11,

Mother’s Day, there will be a drawing for grand prize winner. Open

from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. 307 Marine Ave., Balboa

Island. (949) 566-9173.

BIG APPLE JEWELRY

Blackman Ltd. Jewelers has a special viewing through Saturday of

Jean Vitau creations for Gemlock. Vitau, a French jeweler, moved to

New York 33 years ago and helped create the setting trademarked as

Gemlock. The collection includes necklaces, bracelets, rings and

earring in 18-karat yellow, white and platinum settings with diamonds

and color gemstones. The fashion-oriented Jean Vitau collection was

inspired by the beauty of nature. Unique pins include dragonflies,

bees, flowers and animals. Blackman’s also has gifts for Mother’s and

Father’s days, graduations and weddings. Hand-engraving offered on

premises. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. 3408

Via Oporto, Newport Beach. (949) 673-9334.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA

92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.