OC Insider — Spectrum Center Expanding Again, with Retail Emphasis

The five-year-old Irvine Spectrum Center is expanding again. The Insider is told that ground will break this week on another 180,000 square feet of food, entertainment and shops, on top of the existing 484,000. This Phase 3, though, will have a heavier emphasis on retail. The Irvine Co. says traffic is up 30% year-to-year, putting the center on track for 12 million visitors this year. By the way, the center’s biggest age group is 25-35 Most exhibitors at the Festival of Arts are displaying “Keep the Festival in Laguna Beach” stickers. David Milton’s painting of the Lido Theater, shows a marquee for the movie “Total Recall,” a subtle shot at the festival board Bill Clinton postponed his visit to Ed and Sonya Grech’s Anaheim Hills home this past weekend. Something about having to deal with problems in the Middle East. The fundraiser is being reset for September Add council member, lawyer and activist Larry Agran to the list of prominent people who don’t use e-mail. “Ralph Nader doesn’t even own a computer. At least I own a computer,” says the once and maybe future Irvine mayor. Agran said he actually had e-mail for three days but then, “I realized this was going to be such an intrusion in my life, I just cut it off” A good place to rub shoulders with some of the Mighty Ducks? Sports Club Irvine OC license plate: BAKNBCH. It belongs to Nancy Henderson, owner of Cookie Classics in Newport Beach. “She is a full-time baker and part-time the other,” said husband Corey Henderson of Bankers Mutual, who bravely alerted the Insider. “You guys ought to look into a story on her business,” he added. “She’s been in the same location in Newport for 12 years and has done it on her own while raising four kids.” Well, that at least rates this plug Peter Brennan raves about the ice cream at Gelato Paradiso, in Park Place and at Corona del Mar Plaza.