GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Crown Books is closing down its Costa Mesa Courtyards location over

the next six to eight weeks. There’s a store-closing sale underway with

25% to 50% off on New York Times best sellers, computer books, audio

books, calendars and gifts. Bargain books are reduced up to 85% off their

original price. Most books are priced at less than $4.99. Also on sale

are all store fixtures. Crown Books is at 1835 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 979-0123 or (949) 650-5370.

If you’re the Outside magazine type, you’ll appreciate the preeminent

outdoor adventure products on sale at the North Face semiannual sale

going on through Monday. Included in the sale are outerwear, including

fleece, insulated and waterproof jackets reduced up to 30%; ski wear,

including jackets and pants reduced up to 40%; Tekware, including North

Face’s own line of clothing for adventures reduced up to 40%; equipment,

including tents, sleeping bags and packs reduced up to 40%; and

accessories, including travel and headgear reduced up to 40%. The North

Face shop is in the Triangle Square, 1870-A Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 646-0909.

Future brides may get some ideas at the Bloomingdale’s Home Store

spring bridal registry event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. The event

will feature a champagne brunch, live music and a bridal gown fashion

show. The Bloomingdale’s Home Store is at the Atrium Court in Fashion

Island, Newport Beach. Information: (949) 729-6816.

Vie de France Bakery Cafe is having a special through the end of the

month on chocolate croissants. February is Chocolate Lovers’ Month at Vie

de France, and the bakery has discounted the price of its croissants to

99 cents (that’s an 88-cent savings). Vie de France is in South Coast

Plaza, on the first level, near Nordstrom.

New & Recycled Romances is having an author book-signing event from 1

to 4 p.m. Wednesday. Authors Laura Baker, Suzanne Forster, Lauren Royal,

Meryl Sawyer and Marlene Suson are scheduled to appear. There will also

be tea, refreshments and door prizes. Toni Bruner’s New and Recycled

Romances is at 145 Broadway, Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 645-0529.

The White Rabbit Children’s Bookstore has scheduled favorite storybook

characters to appear in conjunction with stories every other Sunday. The

next story and character will be Froggy at 2 p.m. Feb. 25. Next month,

there will be the Cat in the Hat on March 11, and Pig from “If You Give a

Pig a Pancake” on March 25. There will also be a drawing to win a prize.

The White Rabbit is in South Coast Plaza, on the second level, a few

doors down from McDonald’s. Information: (714) 445-0010.

Borders Books, Music & Cafe is having a special on all Sony best-value

and nice-price titles at $7.99 through March 4. Included in the promotion

are releases from Santana, Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Celine Dion and Bruce

Springsteen. Borders is at South Coast Plaza in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s

Home store wing. Information: (714) 432-7854.

South Coast Plaza’s upscale children’s boutique Jacadi is having a

33%-off sale on all seasonal merchandise. Winter clothing for boys and

girls, ages infant to 12 years, is reduced. Jacadi is on the first level,

near the Carousel Court.

Allied Lighting is having a sale on all of its overstocked lighting

fixtures. The overstock sale promises to have prices at below-dealer

costs. Examples are a chandelier, priced at $1,828, now at $865, and a

wall-mounted light that was $649, now $255. Allied Lighting specializes

in outdoor and indoor lights, and has a lighting consulting and design

service. It’s at 222 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. Information: (949)

646-3737.

* 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.