BEST BUYS -- greer wylder

Christmas gift idea for friends and family? “Why not honor them with a

donation made through The Women of Vision Bells of Christmas Program?”

says Susan S. Champion, publicity chairwoman for the Women of Vision

Orange County. “Women of Vision offers you an opportunity this Christmas

season to honor someone special in your life -- someone dear to your

heart, someone who made that extra effort on your behalf, and in doing

so, made a difference in your life -- a friend, a relative, a co-worker,

a teacher or a pastor.”

It’s a gift that reaches beyond the recipient. The way it works is that

you can honor someone by making a donation in his or her name. “Your

generosity will help ring the bells of hope for needy families in Orange

County, Kenya, Peru and Palestine,” says Champion. A personalized card of

recognition will be sent to people you wish to honor, to let him or her

know just how special they are. For more information on this wonderful

way to honor that special someone, please contact Marie Forde at (949)

494-6529 or Marcia Finley at (949) 497-4680.

Nikki Twigs, a new antique and home and garden accessory store, is having

a grand opening and holiday celebration from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.

The new store is at 1720 Santa Ana Ave., Suite C, in Costa Mesa, which

some say is fast becoming the “Santa Monica South” of the collectible and

antique rage. Trends have indicated that “boomers” are hot on collecting

quality pieces of the past. To satisfy the craving for antiques and

collectibles, Nikki Twigs is a new spot to find treasures. The owners,

Leslie Sykes and Susan McKibbin, are longtime residents of the area and

are giving back to the community by donating 5% of net sales on Monday

through Friday to the Newport-Mesa school of your choice .

Authors Stan and Beverley Jolley will be at Via Lido Drugs from 2 to 4

p.m. Friday for a book-signing to promote their new book,

“Dichotomy-Amish Justice!” Stan Jolley is a Hollywood veteran who

received an Academy Award nomination for production design on the

landmark motion picture “Witness,” starring Harrison Ford and Kelly

McGillis. His other credits include being one of the original conceptual

designers of Disneyland, handpicked by Walt Disney, and becoming one of

the youngest art directors in the history of Hollywood. Jolley projects

have included production design for “Caddyshack,” “Taps,” “The Good

Mother,” “MacGyver” and the pilot for “Get Smart.” His debut novel offers

a fascinating window into one of the most intriguing communities in

America. Jolley draws from his own Pennsylvania Dutch heritage and weaves

a powerful tale of desire and betrayal, set against the secluded

landscape of Lancaster County, Pa. Beverley Jolley was encouraged by her

husband to investigate other artistic inclinations after more than two

decades of work in the accounting field. She made a bold leap into the

literary world with her collaborative work on this book. The book will

also be available at Via Lido Drugs is at 3445 Via Lido in Newport Beach.

Call (949) 723-5858 for more information.

Orange Coast College is holding its annual poinsettia sale from 10 a.m.

to 3 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, organized by

ornamental horticulture students. It has long been a tradition for the

students to produce beautiful poinsettias as part of their studies. The

plants are grown in the school’s greenhouses, and that is where the

public is invited to purchase these beautiful plants. The proceeds from

the sale are used to fund future ornamental horticulture projects. The

most popular six-inch pots include three plants instead of one, making

them fuller and more lush than most poinsettias. There are also four-inch

pots for hanging baskets, which make nice centerpieces. All of the pots

either have covers or are wrapped in foil with a bow. In addition to the

traditional red poinsettias, there are white, pink, marble and Monet

(just like one of his paintings) to choose from. Prices range from $5 to

more than $40. Colors other than red are limited. OCC is at 2701 Fairview

Road in Costa Mesa.

If you’re looking for unusual gift ideas this holiday season, try Dibe

Baghan Trading Post, where you can find Native American art and gift

bakery items. There are special holiday shopping hours from 7 a.m. to 9

p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, and 7 a.m.

to 1 p.m. on Friday. The store is at 2834 Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach.

It will be closed Dec. 20-27 while delivering toys to the Navajo nation.

* BEST BUYS is published Thursdays and Saturdays. If you know of a good

buy, send a fax to (949) 646-4170 or write to Daily Pilot, Best Buys, 330

W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627.