GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

After a few minutes of looking at the latest in stereo equipment at

the Bang & Olufsen store at South Coast Plaza, you’ll be wanting to rush

home to haul out your old stereo. The designs are unbelievable. The only

thing that might stop you from ditching your eyesore back home are the

prices. The Denmark-based company produces top-of-the-line equipment and

is guaranteed to be the only stereo equipment that you won’t want to hide

in a closet. My favorite is the BeoSound 9000, a sleek-looking CD player

that can be hung on the wall, vertically or horizontally, or has an

optional stand. It also comes with extended programming features, memory

for 200 titles, FM/AM radio with timer functions and remote-control

operation. The pair of BeoLab speakers are also perfectly designed, with

slender vertical lines to minimize reflections from floor to ceiling. Of

course, all of this great design comes with a price. The six-CD player I

love so much is $4,000, and the speakers are $7,000. Bang & Olufsen also

makes other music systems, loudspeakers, flat-screen televisions for the

wall, telephones, remote-control devices and answering machines.

Information: (714) 751-2300.

Whole Foods Market has always been ahead of its time. It started the

country’s first organic food product line for kids and now is packaging

healthy meals for kids. The “Whole Kids On-The-Go” meal features an

entree, cookies, organic juice, grapes (organic when available) and

crackers, all held in a colorful, reusable container. These fun-size

meals sell for $2.99 and come with a free prize. The first set of prizes

are novelty fruit and veggie pens, with five different varieties

available for collecting. Whole Foods is on the lower level of Triangle

Square at 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 574-3800.

Yin ‘n Yang Harmonious Home Accents is having its semiannualsale on

furniture. All furniture in the store is reduced 25%. Yin ‘n Yang carries

mostly antiques and reproduction furniture from Asia. There are Japanese

tansus, Chinese armoires, TV cabinets, cane furniture from Burma, antique

screens, reproduction emperor chairs, cabinets and display shelves. The

sale will last through the end of the month. Yin ‘n Yang is at 301 Marine

Ave., Suite B, Balboa Island. Information: (949) 723-5579.

Atkinson’s Men’s Clothing is having a Super Bowl one-day, blowout sale

Saturday on Reyn Spooner shirts. When you buy a Reyn Spooner shirt at

regular price, you’ll get the second one free. Atkinson’s Men’s Clothing

carries the best in traditional men’s clothing. It’s across the street

from the Lido Theater at 3430 Via Lido, Newport Beach. Information: (949)

673-0653.

Another Super Bowl-inspired sale is going on at the Gary’s stores at

Fashion Island. The four stores -- Gary’s Newport Beach, (949) 759-1622,

for men’s clothing; Gary’s Cole Haan, (949) 759-1622, for men’s shoes;

Gary’s Island, (949) 640-2371, for resort wear for men, women and

children; and Gary Per Donna, (949) 721-5730, with clothing, shoes and

accessories for women -- are having sales with merchandise up to 60% off

through Super Bowl Sunday. The stores carry popular name brands,

including Cole Haan, Fendi, Yves Saint Laurent, Stuart Wietzman, Polo

Ralph Lauren, Hugo Boss, Zanella, Kahala, Jams World, Zegna and Donald J

Pliner.

The Newport North Center is having its annual sidewalk sale today

through Saturday. Participating merchants are offering specials and

savings for the event. Included in the sidewalk sale is A Fine Affair, B.

Magness, The Basket Case, Baskin Robbins, Blockbuster Video, Cathay

Newport Restaurant, Champagnes Market & Deli, Chevron USA, Couture New

York, Happy Nails, Labels, Mag’s Donuts, Mailboxes Newport, Master

Tailoring, Marco Polo Italian Eatery, Newport North Cleaners, One Hour

Moto Photo, Petco, Royal Jewelers, Salon Belcourt, Dr. Michael Shack

Optometrist and The Video Editor. The Newport North Center is on the

corner of MacArthur Boulevard and Bison Avenue in Newport Beach.

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

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

646-4170.