Nordstrom

The much-anticipated Nordstrom semiannual sale for women and children starts Wednesday. Throughout the store, you can find savings of 20% to 33% on clothing and accessories, and 30% to 50% on shoes. In the accessories department, there's a selection of Anne Klein watches, Mei Fa stretch bracelets and The Sak crocheted handbags and mini bags. In the Brass Plum department, there are savings on selected fashions by Frenchi, an exclusive line at Nordstrom. In the women's apparel department, there are selected Carol Anderson dresses; spring coats; Hot Cotton separates; Classiques Entier; Preview Collection suiting and separates; and BCBG exclusively for Nordstrom.

Rick Devereux There comes a point in sports when the proverbial 'wait until next season' becomes that next season and the team wins. It could take 86 years, as was the case for the Boston Red Sox, or it could take 97 years and counting, as is the case for the Chicago Cubs. The wait has not been that long for the Newport Harbor High wrestling program, but it the future definitely seems bright for the Sailors. "This is a young team," Coach Dominic Bulone said.

If you're like me, staggering heels are a challenge, even on a good day. Corona del Mar resident Julie Johnson felt the same way and launched her own shoe line: Newport Beach-based Olivia Childs. The shoe line is what Johnson calls the alternative to those staggering heels. Fashion bloggers and fashion followers love the shoes, Johnson said. "I wanted to make a comfortable shoe for women," she said. She started creating the line about two years ago and officially launched Olivia Childs in January.

An annual pilgrimage to the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort took place last week benefiting the Orange County Museum of Art. It was the annual fall fashion collection showcased by Nordstrom in partnership with the museum. Tickets to the fashion runway production were $150 each, and co-chairwomen Carol Lee and Gianna Kerrison worked tirelessly to fill the house in order to help fill the bank account at the museum. Lee and Kerrison succeeded, and there was not a seat left in the ballroom surrounding the elevated catwalk.

For some shoppers, Black Friday started six days ago. Daniela Ramirez and her brother waited on the street in front of Metro Pointe's Best Buy since Sunday. They were camped out with sleeping bags and a collapsible awning waiting to buy a TV. It wasn't their first attempt. "We've done it last year.... " the 21-year-old said. "We were No. 16 in line last year, but we didn't even get one because everyone cut in," Ramirez said. Seasoned from that failed trip at a different location, they were taking no chances this year, with about eight buyers already in front of them.

LOLITA HARPER Have you seen the movie Sweet Home Alabama? You know, the one where the adorable blond leaves her quaint hometown and moves to New York only to launch her own clothing line and become the next darling in the fashion industry. An interesting turn of events, including a super-rich fiancee and an old blue-eyed boyfriend, brings her home. It is mostly a love story -- with a great wardrobe for leading lady Reese Witherspoon, who plays the up-and-coming designing diva.

"Ten Newport ladies have a combined total of 215 years of raising money for Children's Hospital through the Cinderella Guild," said one of the tremendous 10, Marion Pickens. "Now I'm not going to brag about how much age we 10 share together. Lets just concentrate on our volunteer fund-raising figures, shall we?' The classy Lido gal lunched with pals at the Santa Ana Country Club to raise even more money for Children's Hospital -- and to add a few more hours on the 215-year clock.

FRIDAY Chanel Spring Trunk Show Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island hosts a Chanel Spring Trunk Show, showing off its 2011 Spring Collection. For more information, call (949) 759-1900. Shabbat Service Temple Bat Yahm, 1011 Camelback St., Newport Beach, holds its Friday night Shabbat Service at 6 p.m. in the Morgan Chapel. The service will be led by Rabbi Mark S. Miller, Rabbi Gersh Zylberman and Cantor Grant and will be followed by an Oneg Shabbat. Guests are welcome.

What makes a business blossom? What makes a store succeed? What makes a muskrat protect his musk? Forget that last one. Service -- that's what! Over the years, I have ranted, carried on and/or whined more than once about the dearth of service in this complex world of ours. But I have noticed of late, right here in the Land of Newport-Mesa, an encouraging, albeit subtle, change in the way some of our local purveyors purvey their goods and supply their services.