GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

If you have a green thumb, mark Aug. 9 on your calendar. That’s when

the Orange County chapter of the California Assn. of Nurserymen will be

holding an auction on plants and garden supplies at the Orange County

Fairgrounds. All proceeds will go to various local charities and

organizations, including Sherman Library & Gardens and the Centennial

Farm Foundation. Last year, the event raised $17,000. The evening begins

at 6 p.m. with a chili cook-off, and the auction gets underway at 7 p.m.

The plants and garden supplies will be supplied by dozen of retail

nurseries, wholesale plant growers and garden suppliers. Admission is

free for the auction, and a $2 donation will let you taste as much chili

as you want. Information: (949) 721-2100, Ext. 505.

Another fun charity event: an outdoors blues concert and food festival

to benefit the Orange County Performing Arts Center will take place from

5 to 9 p.m. July 27 at South Coast Plaza Village. The eighth annual Hot

Blues on a Cool Summer Night features food from South Coast Plaza

restaurants Armani Care, Antonello Ristorante, Birraporetti’s, Bluewater

Grill, The Clubhouse, Darya Persian Cuisine, Maggiano’s Little Italy,

Morton’s of Chicago, Rainforest Cafe, Royal Khyber Indian Cuisine,

Trattoria Spiga, Vie de France and The Village Farmer. The headliner will

be The Bernie Pearl Blues Band. Bernie Pearl has played with Papa John

Creach, Harmonica Fats, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Doctor John.

Advance ticket prices are $35 for Center Stage members, $40 for

nonmembers and $50 at the door. Information: (714) 284-5464 or on the Web

at o7 https://www.center-stage.orgf7 .

You can celebrate Bastille Day at Mistral with a three-course meal for

$16. The night begins with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and then an

appetizer, entree and dessert. You’ll also be serenaded by live accordion

music. Mistral is at 440 Heliotrope Ave., Corona del Mar. Information:

(949) 723-9685.

If you have friends, relatives or business associates staying near

Disneyland, you can tell them about the new South Coast Plaza Motor

Coach, which will take tourists from the Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland

Pacific Hotel, Anaheim Hilton and Anaheim Marriott to South Coast Plaza.

The free daily service begins Monday.

Little People and Me and Shoe Story in Westcliff Court is holding a

summer sale, offering savings from 20% to 70% off its entire stock

through Sunday. Popular apparel name brands on sale include Kid Tails,

Roxy, Quiksilver, Billabong, Lucky Brand, Baby Lulu, Biscotti and

Metropolitan Prairie. Shoe brands on sale include Elefantan, Valencia,

Sam & Libby and Skechers. Ladies apparel and shoes are also on sale.

Westcliff Court is on Westcliff Drive near Dover Drive and Irvine Avenue.

Information: (949) 645-1355.

Early Years Toys, also in Westcliff Court, is holding a

going-out-of-business liquidation sale. Most items are at least 25% off

with some toys 50% off. Information: (949) 642-4212.

Miner Mistakes Designer Outlet is holding a designer bed sale,

offering 15% off its already low prices. The designer showroom features

bedroom accessories, recliners, Oriental screens, lamps, coffee tables,

upholstery, and mirrors. The store is at 2925 Airway Ave., Suite A, Costa

Mesa. Information: (714) 979-6679.

More bedroom best buys: A summer sale is going on at Newport Bedding,

where good prices can be found on name brand mattresses, including

Posturematic, Orthopoise, Princess and Sleepy Haven. The store also has a

sale on adjustable electric beds and is offering 30% to 50% discounts on

its 100 wrought iron beds. Newport Bedding, at 1534 Newport Blvd. in

Costa Mesa, offers free delivery, setup and disposal of your old

mattress. Information: (949) 656-3991.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to

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

646-4170.