GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The new Build-A-Bear Workshop store at Fashion Island is a unique

store where you can truly make a one-of-a-kind gift. The staff will help

you customize a bear, cow, dog or bunny. You’ll be able to choose

stuffing, stitching and dress for the bear. The workshop’s assembly line

order is “chose me, stuff me, fluff me, name me, dress me and take me

home.” The prices are very reasonable, baby’s first bear is $12; black

bear is $12; floppy frog is $18; floppy pony is $18; and polar bear is

$25. Choose from about 21 stuffed animals. The workshop store is an ideal

place to make gifts for birthdays, get well occasions, congratulations,

wedding wishes, new baby, anniversary and good luck. There is also a

build-a-party, where everyone gets to take home a bear. The parties are

ideal for birthdays, company event or outings for clubs. For birthday

parties of six or more, the birthday boy or girl receives a Build-A-Bear

Workshop’s Bear Jammin’ CD or cassette tape. To make the party easier you

can preselect the animals and clothing, to determine the cost of your

party. The prices per person start at $10. Information: 1-877-789-BEAR.

An art show and food tasting event is scheduled today from 10:30 a.m.

to 4 p.m. at the Via Lido Plaza in Newport Beach. Included in the art

show will be oils, glass, ceramics, sculptures and photographs. The

Irvine Valley College Singers will perform Gershwin, Shearing, and other

musical theater selections. Regatta Cafe, Z Pizza and Pavilions will

provide food samplings. The Via Lido Plaza is on the corner of Via Lido

and Newport Boulevard on the Balboa Peninsula. Information: (800)

830-3645.

Look in today’s Daily Pilot for the complimentary appetizer

certificate from The Clubhouse restaurant at South Coast Plaza in Costa

Mesa. Examples of entrees on the menu includes vodka pasta, chicken pot

pie, Lake Superior whitefish, honey peppercorn salmon, chicken piccata

and meatloaf and mashed potato sundae. The certificate is good through

Sept. 5. The traditional food restaurant is open seven days a week and

even has a menu for kids. Information: (714) 708-CLUB.

Old Navy is having another summer bargain on clothing. The latest

special is on T-shirts for the whole family. Old Navy has stocked

T-shirts in all colors, solids, stripes and prints--all priced from $5.50

to $16.50. The adult sizes range in price from $8.50 to $16.50; the kids

shirts are priced from $6.50 to $16.50; and baby sizes are priced from

$5.50 to $10.50. If you buy six shirts, you’ll get the seventh free. This

weekend there’s a T-shirt club event where you can enter to win a

scooter. There’s one scooter winner per day. Old Navy is at the Metro

Pointe Shopping Center, 949 South Coast Drive in Costa Mesa. Information:

(714) 481-5000.

The Benetton location in the Atrium Court at Fashion Island is going

out of business. The store carries clothing for women and children, and

the majority of merchandise is reduced 50%. Selected items are reduced

70%. The South Coast Plaza location will remain open. Information: (949)

760-6577.

Where’s The Party? is one-stop shopping destination for a tropical

party. The store is filled with merchandise for a luau party including

supplies and decorations. Where’s The Party also carries the largest

selection of invitations in Orange County. It’s at 270 E. 17th St. in

Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 722-1803.

The Country Inn Garden Cafe recently added a new omelet bar that’s

open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For shoppers, there are antiques

and accessories for sale at the Country Inn. It’s also located in front

of a row of shops that are filled with antiques, collectibles,

furnishings, candles, chandeliers, books and custom picture framing. It’s

at 130 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 722-1177.

* 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.